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How 2 Bolton Based Businesses are Tackling Addiction in the Aftermath of Lockdown

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How 2 Bolton Based Businesses are Tackling Addiction in the Aftermath of Lockdown
Reading Time: 4 minutes

Two Bolton based businesses, Acquiesce and WHYSUP, recorded a podcast discussing addiction, and how they are tackling it following the coronavirus lockdown.

Acquiesce is a private rehabilitation centre, offering luxury accommodation and an urban recovery model that integrates recovery into everyday life. Tina, the senior practitioner at Acquiesce, oversees each individual’s entire journey.

WHYSUP was founded by Mark and Liam. They work to deliver presentations, workshops and keynotes to schools and businesses across the UK to educate and raise awareness of mental health and addiction.

Mark’s Story 

Mark begins by explaining his battle with a gambling addiction that started with a bet when he was just sixteen. By 21 he realised he needed help and attended Gamblers Anonymous meetings.

“I remember going to a GA meeting, looking around and thinking ‘Well I’ve not lost my house, not lost my wife, not lost my family. I’m not as bad as these so I don’t need help.”

By 25 he had a girlfriend and a professional job. Everyone around him thought he had left his old life behind and was on the road to recovery. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case.

At 29, he was kidnapped and held hostage by a group with machetes who were demanding ransom from his mother. Luckily, the police tracked his phone and rescued him.

Mark finally hit rock bottom when his family turned their backs on him. Without his family, he felt that suicide was the only way out of his mess but knew the impact this would have on everyone around him, including his children.

With help from his mum, Mark went to rehab in Birmingham. He took part in the fourteen week programme but stayed there for another five and a half months.

In rehab, Mark wrote down all of his debts. He initially thought he owed a total of £100,000 but now says it was closer to £306,000.

“It’s like I’m talking about a different person now when I look back. Thankfully that’s where it turned around for me. Rehab saved my life.”

Liam’s Story

Around the age of 13, Liam started to experiment with alcohol and drugs like many teenagers at the time.

“There was no prevention or awareness, no knowledge of addiction. My decisions were based on ‘Am I going to get caught?’”

“By 15 I was taking Class A drugs several times a week. I thought drinking and drugs were a normal part of life. I also thought I was good at it because I could do it and still do what I was supposed to be doing.”

Liam got his GCSEs, enjoyed Thai boxing, got his A levels and had a long term girlfriend, all whilst taking drugs.

“I was living a double life. No one knew. From the outside I was seen as popular and successful, the things that you don’t associate with addiction. That’s why I never thought I had a problem.”

He also started struggling with his mental health, dealing with feelings of shame, guilt and paranoia. Liam finally acknowledged his problem after crashing four cars in one week and his family started to ask questions.

“From the minute rehab was mentioned I booked myself in. I pretty much destroyed everyone I loved because I had to tell them what had been going on. When I came out, I went back to normal life, the life where I’d taken drugs for 19 years.”

Following rehab, Liam continued to take drugs after he relapsed at a funeral. His wife became frustrated with the chaos and arranged for him to stay with Mark.

“It wasn’t easy but I was given a safe place. I was able to build a recovery in the real world, which is very important because you can’t just live in a bubble.”

Mark encouraged Liam to make weekly plans, give up his cash card and attend the gym in the same way that he did when he was in recovery at the halfway house.

“I didn’t need to change my location, I needed to change my mindset. People, places, routine, structure- I had to relearn it all to get where I am today. This is why we got in touch with Acquiesce. It integrates the real world into your recovery.

Acquiesce

Acquiesce provides a discreet, highly supported and safe environment within the community to recover in. Without being hidden from the real world, the urban recovery model allows individuals to gain all the tools and experience necessary whilst maintaining a carefully monitored level of responsibility over their own recovery.

This makes the transitional period from treatment a much smoother process, resulting in a more sustainable recovery journey.

WHYSUP

Mark and Liam started WHYSUP after discussing how their addictions started and the mental challenges they had faced. They wondered if anything would have changed had they been given a talk in school.

Three years later, their service is well established and works in three different sectors; education, business and sport.

They have spoken to over 30,000 people nationwide. Over the last 18 months, people with some form of experience have joined the team. Initially their key focus was addiction but they now focus more on mental health and wellbeing.

Support During Lockdown

The team were managing the number of calls well, especially once they hired a professional who helped with more severe cases. Unfortunately, when lockdown started, calls quadrupled and they could no longer meet the demand.

“We underestimated how many and how severely people were declining. They were threatening suicide and we had to drop off flowers at funerals of people who would likely still be here if it wasn’t for lockdown.”

Acquiesce also had an increase in calls, with people experiencing anxiety and fear from a loss of jobs and uncertainty about the future. Tina explained that the number of individuals at high risk from drinking has doubled according to Public Health England.

“We found that some clients have relapsed after being clean for many years and have had to come back into treatment.” Tina added.

When defining addiction from a professional point of view, Tina says they look at withdrawals, tolerance, loss of control, broken promises and consequences, but that in reality it’s a much wider perspective.

“I define addiction as a compulsive behaviour that is impossible to stop without professional help and support. As much as you try to convince yourself you can do it alone, I know from experience that you just can’t.” Added Mark

Liam’s definition of addiction has changed over time. He said, “Two and a half years ago, I’d have talked about drugs. For me now it’s more than a substance or behaviour, it centres around thinking and feeling.”

Tina explained that the Acquiesce programme is very much about positivity, positive self talk, self esteem, gaining confidence.

“When clients come in, their addiction has robbed their self esteem and we work to get it back.”

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction or mental health issues, please book a callback with Acquiesce at acquiesce.org.uk/contact or 01204 771940, or get in touch with WHYSUP at whysup.co.uk/contact

To listen to the whole podcast, please visit acquiesce.org.uk/how-2-bolton-based-businesses-are-tackling-addiction-in-the-aftermath-of-lockdown/

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HBA Media Partners with Genius Sports

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HBA Media Partners with Genius Sports
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

HBA Media announced a new partnership with Genius Sports to launch “Crown Jewels Racing Fantasy” (CJRFantasy) – the first international horse racing fantasy game.

As the established leader in the international distribution of horse racing media rights, HBA Media works with broadcasters worldwide representing renowned races including Royal Ascot, the Saudi Cup, the Breeders’ Cup, Hong Kong Jockey Club, as well as premium UK horse racing through HBA’s partnership with Racecourse Media Group.

CJRFantasy has been launched to help unify the global horse racing calendar, providing broadcasters and their fans around the world with a new platform to enhance their knowledge, compete with family and friends, and engage with the world’s most prestigious races.

For each race, players must select three horses, designating who will finish first, second and third. Double points will be assigned to one horse chosen as captain, while players must also answer a tie-breaker question on the winning distances. Each horse is assigned an XP where the lower their score, the more likely the horse is to win the upcoming race. Horses with higher XP who win will deliver more points, encouraging players to select from the full field.

HBA Media will promote the new CJRFantasy game through the international broadcast feed across the calendar year, connecting their gamification strategy with millions of horse racing fans worldwide. On-air graphics will encourage and engage viewers in the joys of the CJRFantasy game, which offers unique raceday experiences and VIP merchandise as prizes. In addition, on-screen talent and ambassadors that include horse racing’s finest Nick Luck, Michelle Yu, Tom Stanley and Frankie Foster will also host their own competitive leagues, enabling viewers to take on the professionals.

CJRFantasy is powered by Genius Sports – a global leader in building highly interactive and engaging fantasy, trivia and predictor tools for the NFL, FIFA, World Rugby, European Tour and MLB.

Frank Sale, Managing Director for HBA Media, said: “We are continually looking for innovative and exciting ways to promote, engage and connect with new and existing audiences. Working in partnership with Genius Sports has enabled us to provide our clients (racecourses, federations and broadcasters) with a powerful and entertaining interactive tool. We are delighted to be able to launch CJRFantasy for the prestigious Dubai World Cup this Saturday.”

Judd Goldstein, Global Commercial Lead, Fan Engagement at Genius Sports, said: “HBA Media plays a central role at the heart of the global horse racing ecosystem, and we’re thrilled to be helping them directly connect with fans around the world. CJRFantasy will bring the world’s showcase horse races into one connected free-to-play gaming destination, allowing horse racing fans to engage with the sport like never before.”

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Playson diversifies portfolio with Wild West theme in Arizona Heist: Hold and Win

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Playson diversifies portfolio with Wild West theme in Arizona Heist: Hold and Win
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

Daring masterminds launch train robbery to take home big prizes

Playson, the fast-growing digital entertainment supplier, is taking players on the wildest adventure of their life in its debut Western-themed title Arizona Heist: Hold and Win.

A weathered team of criminals feature as symbols in this unpredictable slot. A revolver, backpack, and boozy supplies are all packed ready for this adrenaline-fuelled heist.

The high-energy mission is reflected in three Bonus Game boosters. The Plus booster reveals a random value of up to x10 and adds it to each symbol below it. The Multiplier randomly multiplies up to x10 and adds to all icons on the grid. The Gold booster transforms one Bonus symbol into a Bonus Gold symbol on the reel below. Additionally, the Collect feature collects all values from Bonus and Bonus Gold symbols during the Bonus Game.

In-game jackpots return in the form of a golden safe. Collecting two, three, four or five Bonus Gold symbols during the Bonus Game offers one of four corresponding jackpots. Two Bonus Gold symbols triggers a mini jackpot of x20, three symbols award a x50 minor jackpot, the major jackpot of x100 lands if four symbols are achieved. The grand jackpot of x5,000 is given if five Bonus Gold symbols appear.

The Double feature results from filling all 20 positions in the Bonus Game and doubles all symbol values.

Reflecting the scene of the crime, three or more train Scatters symbols trigger 10 free spins. A further three trains during free spins issues a further five free spins.  During the free spins round, Wild symbols multiply all combinations they are part of, with the Wilds’ multiplier amounts depending on how many Scatters appear. For three Scatters, the Wild offers x2, for four it is x3 and for five it is x5.

The Extra Bonus feature grants a chance of adding Bonus symbols in quantity enough or more to activate the Bonus Game during the Main Game or Free Spins.

Tamas Kusztos, CCO at Playson, said: “The Wild West is known for its unpredictability and adventure, which is what we evoke in Arizona Heist: Hold and Win. We are delighted to introduce this lively new theme into our portfolio, with an exciting array of enhancing features to inject even more excitement.

“The graphics and atmospheric music convey a sense of the unknown, as our players seek to run away with great riches from the train’s bursting safe.”

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Play’n GO gifts players a holiday treat in Easter Eggspedition

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Play’n GO and Benny Bunny invite players to an egg-filled valley of rewards in Easter Eggspedition. In this 5x3 online slot, players are invited to join in on the Easter adventure by exploring a chocolate-filled wonderland filled with exciting rewards such as Guaranteed Scatters, Free Spins and Instant Prizes. This slot follows the story of our hero Benny Bunny and his adversary, the canine known simply as ‘Fox’ competing to collect chocolate eggs in the enchanted valley. Hop along and join the egg hunt to discover delicious payouts waiting for players on the reels. Thematically, this title is cut from the same iconic cloth as older Play’n GO Animal Slot classics such as Rocco Gallo (2022) and Easter-themed thrills like Easter Eggs (2015). In terms of gameplay, this title boasts a wide variety of tasty, chocolate-coated treats for gamers to indulge in. On every spin, there's a possibility of Guaranteed Scatters. This increases the chances of activating the Bonus Feature and provides an exciting experience for the player, blending the excitement of the chase with the slot mechanics. To activate the Bonus Feature, players need to hop across the reels and get three Easter Eggs Baskets. If successful, the feature will award players with three Free Spins. In this feature, each symbol landed resets the counter back to three. Players can win instant prizes, Multipliers, or get the Fox or Benny Bunny symbol. If gamers win the Instant Prize, their win will be added to the Cash Pot. If they get the Benny Bunny symbol, they'll will be awarded the Cash Pot. On the other hand, if they get the Fox symbol, the Cash Pot will be reset. If both symbols are present, players have the chance to win a large payout. If both Benny Bunny and the dastardly Fox land at the same time, Benny will fight off the Fox and reward players with the Cash Pot, resetting the spins to three. The Bonus Feature will end after three consecutive Free Spins without The Bunny or an Easter Egg landing on the reels. Games Ambassador at Play’n GO, Magnus Wallentin said: “At Play’n GO we love a quality seasonal title, and Easter Eggspedition is just that. This slot is jam-packed with quality features, including the narrative-driven Cash Pot features that pits the Fox against Benny Bunny, Guaranteed Scatters and the Instant Prizes feature, making this title well and truly immersive.” With a wide array of features, tight animation and an immersive theme that can be enjoyed all year round – Easter Eggspedition is the full package
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

Play’n GO and Benny Bunny invite players to an egg-filled valley of rewards in Easter Eggspedition.

In this 5×3 online slot, players are invited to join in on the Easter adventure by exploring a chocolate-filled wonderland filled with exciting rewards such as Guaranteed Scatters, Free Spins and Instant Prizes.

This slot follows the story of our hero Benny Bunny and his adversary, the canine known simply as ‘Fox’ competing to collect chocolate eggs in the enchanted valley. Hop along and join the egg hunt to discover delicious payouts waiting for players on the reels. Thematically, this title is cut from the same iconic cloth as older Play’n GO Animal Slot classics such as Rocco Gallo (2022) and Easter-themed thrills like Easter Eggs (2015).

In terms of gameplay, this title boasts a wide variety of tasty, chocolate-coated treats for gamers to indulge in. On every spin, there’s a possibility of Guaranteed Scatters. This increases the chances of activating the Bonus Feature and provides an exciting experience for the player, blending the excitement of the chase with the slot mechanics.

To activate the Bonus Feature, players need to hop across the reels and get three Easter Eggs Baskets. If successful, the feature will award players with three Free Spins.

In this feature, each symbol landed resets the counter back to three. Players can win instant prizes, Multipliers, or get the Fox or Benny Bunny symbol. If gamers win the Instant Prize, their win will be added to the Cash Pot. If they get the Benny Bunny symbol, they’ll will be awarded the Cash Pot. On the other hand, if they get the Fox symbol, the Cash Pot will be reset. If both symbols are present, players have the chance to win a large payout.

If both Benny Bunny and the dastardly Fox land at the same time, Benny will fight off the Fox and reward players with the Cash Pot, resetting the spins to three. The Bonus Feature will end after three consecutive Free Spins without The Bunny or an Easter Egg landing on the reels.

Games Ambassador at Play’n GO, Magnus Wallentin said: “At Play’n GO we love a quality seasonal title, and Easter Eggspedition is just that. This slot is jam-packed with quality features, including the narrative-driven Cash Pot features that pits the Fox against Benny Bunny, Guaranteed Scatters and the Instant Prizes feature, making this title well and truly immersive.”

With a wide array of features, tight animation and an immersive theme that can be enjoyed all year round – Easter Eggspedition is the full package.

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