Thread by @CroakeyNews

#RethinkAddiction opens for Day 2 - "where the rubber hits the road, where yesterday's lived experience becomes a campaign", says moderator @FaineJon

We start today with video address from @Emma4Dobell who acknowledges #RethinkAddiction is being held on the traditional lands of the Ngunnawal & Ngambri peoples. She talks of her background in health care, working as a pharmacist for 20+ years, and is keen to hear the conf calls.

"Gambling harm, two words I never thought would be part of my story," says @seselja_k, in the opening keynote for #RethinkAddiction Day 2. Says the stigma and shame fostered by the industry has contributed to growing harm, 'the problem gambler'.

The truth is there was nothing wrong with me, pokie gambling is 'addiction by design'. "What's wrong with me is a question I no longer ask. Instead I ask 'why is this still happening." @seselja_k #RethinkAddiction

If we were the nation with worst stats in literacy, be mountains of resources thrown at it. Gambling is a problem that gets budgeted to increase each year, 'mocked by some as the tax on the stupid'. @seselja_k #RethinkAustralia

. @seselja_k says there's no question that trauma can lead to a gambling addiction but "gambling has a unique ability to create trauma", to lose huge amounts of money in a short time. #RethinkAddiction

Devastating toll of a gambling addiction being outlined powerfully at #RethinkAddiction by @seselja_k on her sense of self. Her advocacy also brings a toll: is self-funded and there is no safe space, because the perpetrators "are always at the table".

. @seselja_k says we have to stop talking about the 'act of bravery' involved in speaking out on gambling harm, too hard for many who need overwhelmingly to have their dignity restored to them after being "knowingly exploited for profit". #RethinkAddiction

Standing ovation at #RethinkAddiction for the powerful messages from @seselja_k who declares she now lives "free from shame, which was never mine to bear".

Next up at #RethinkAddiction - panel discussion on supporting effective prevention and public health responses, with @JodieMatar @AngeleneBruce, Gavin Fineff, Selba-Gondoza Luka

. @JodieMatar talking about the experience and impact of addiction in her family, as she grew up, incl shame and stigma. Worried that no real talk now about how parents can navigate drinking issues for kids, eg asked to 'approve' underage drinking at parties #RethinkAddiction

You are excluded from groups, because of addiction and because you're trying to avoid addiction (not taking drugs at parties etc), says @JodieMatar, worried about peer pressure for young people today who want to belong. #RethinkAddiction

. @AngeleneBruce is sharing her story at #RethinkAddiction on FASD, giving a shout out to people who played critical role in her life and advocacy today: "always compassion, always without judgement"

. @AngeleneBruce experienced trauma as a young person, an "invisible backpack" that led to bullying at school. She dabbled in drugs at uni, later turned to the pokies, and developed issues with alcohol: "it was my friend, until it wasn't" #RethinkAddiction

Despite gruelling rehab efforts, @AngeleneBruce talks about the privilege of being able to afford private insurance, which meant she could access residential treatment within 48 hours versus up to six weeks in public sector #RethinkAddiction

At her first prenatal meeting, @AngeleneBruce talked about her issues with drinking, response was she "must" stop: "terrible advice to give". Her child was diagnosed with FASD at 3yo. Says shame and stigma stops women like her from disclosing about alcohol. #RethinkAddiction

Gavin Fineff is now facing a custodial sentence as a result of a gambling addiction - here's background to his story in relation to his work with @WilkieMP & advocacy on gambling as "a health issue not a moral issue" #RethinkAddiction andrewwilkie.org/wp-content/upl…

Gavin Fineff talks about how people with lived experience of addiction are "powerless in our addiction, powerful in coming forward in our vulnerability and to honour the pain and suffering...." #RethinkAddiction

Hearing now from Selba-Gondoza Luka from @AfriAusCare at #RethinkAddiction - here's a story about her life and work
theage.com.au/national/victo…

"I don't normally cry at conferences." Selba-Gondoza Luka providing another raw and courageous insight at #RethinkAustralia about trauma, loss, family violence/disruption...and the lack of culturally diverse care available to African communities in Australia.

Selba-Gondoza Luka says evidence-base makes a call for evidence based resources and funding "to be delivered on the ground". She recommends reading this piece about her work: #RethinkAddiction cosmosmagazine.com/people/emergen…

#RethinkAddiction feedback

#RethinkAddiction

Every project needs to be evidence based, some projects are "tick boxes". "Go meet the local: bottom up, strengths based. Also employ people who are in the community & listen to those with lived experience." Selba-Gondoza Luka #RethinkAddiction

. @AngeleneBruce warns that risk of FASD much higher than most understand, that adults living with FASD are "extremely susceptible" to substance abuse and speaks out against media reporting on FASD that imposes "stigma upon stigma upon stigma". #RethinkAddiction

Gavin Fineff talks about predatory practices in the gambling/finance industry: offers to provide 'free betting money to give us a go'.

"I have an addiction to gambling, they have an addiction to profits, we both need intervention."

#RethinkAddiction

#RethinkAddiction attendees welcome news that @AUSTRAC will investigate Entain, owner of betting brand Ladbrokes, after a supervisory campaign of corporate bookmakers smh.com.au/business/compa…

And that's it for Day 2 opening session at #RethinkAddiction - back at 11.30 AEST

Powerful stories being told in the #RethinkAddiction breaks as well as on stage in the sessions: you can view some of them here rethinkaddiction.org.au/realstories

. @FaineJon pays tribute at #RethinkAddiction to the wonderful Uncle Jack Charles who has died, "a wonderful performer, a wonderful man, a leader...what a remarkable legacy he has left for us". theage.com.au/culture/celebr…