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For some reason, this is an unusual interview.
Although widely known, even though the problem is far from new, there are still very few hockey players who have chosen to step forward and report addiction to games.
Fredrik Svensson is an exception.
The slope with nearly 500 SHL matches, with professional careers in Finland, Switzerland and Germany, sits in a hotel lobby in Stockholm and talks about what many people consider taboo.
– Probably a fear of exposing yourself. Too bad you feel like something bad has been done, says Fredrik Svensson.
– But it’s actually a disease.
Fredrik Svensson is very clear in the first place that he doesn’t want this text to worry. Instead, the focus should be on the problem of gambling addiction, on the job of which he himself is now part of reporting on what had previously been said quietly.
He has played in 12 different clubs.
Name: Fredrik Svensson.
age: Four. Five.
Bor: Stockholm.
Clubs in career as assets: Hammarby, Kiekko-Espoo, Malmö IF, Skellefteå, Luleå, Leksand, Ambri Piotta, HPK, Wolfsburg, Södertälje, Ilves, AIK, Vallentuna.
current: Conferences on abuse of games in the country’s hockey gyms in a joint project organized by Sico and SHL.
Nine SHL clubs declined
In a collaboration between SHL and the Sico player organization, Fredrik Svensson along with another former SHL player, Johan Andersson, toured Hockey Sweden this winter and gave lectures.
– We have had each part, Johan talks about the different challenges he faces as a hockey player. I’ve told my story about my addiction to games, “says Fredrik Svensson.
Firstly, the country’s hockey gyms were contacted, with a very good response. But also all SHL teams in the country have been offered to participate in the conference.
With that, the interest has been considerably cooler.
– Yes, we were received in five of the 14 clubs. So it’s not very big, says Fredrik Svensson.
It is not weird?
– You can think that.
In 2017, the Karolinska Institute launched a survey that showed 4-5 players on each team are at risk of being abused, or have already ended up there.
Trembling numbers, but according to Fredrik Svensson, the problem may actually be greater than that.
– Although many people reacted with “Oh shit!“On the figures in Karolinska’s poll, I still think there is a big dark figure,” says Svensson.
Why not
– Partly because it is difficult to realize that you are caught in that. In part, you don’t want to expose yourself and show that you’re in trouble.
The wardrobe: a risk zone
Fredrik Svensson describes the hockey environment as “very riskySomething returns to his lectures.
– There is a lot of talk about the game. Poker is played on bus trips. You come to the locker room and hear someone say that I won 10,000 there, and that someone else won yes and a lot there.
– Then it is easy to start absorbing.
Fredrik Svensson reclines on the sofa inside the hotel entrance.
– I think many hockey players are like me, very competition-oriented. So it’s easy enough to end up in an evil spiral where you always start chasing the next profit. That mentality, combined with talk in the locker room, leisure and wages, are all components.
– It’s just a damn risk zone.
Fredrik Svensson is obviously concerned about all the temptations of play that are found almost everywhere today for youngsters. All available with a few buttons on your mobile.
– It’s totally crazy. In television advertising blocks there are four out of five movies by betting companies. All the time he’s just being kicked out.
What do you think the gaming company Betsson is the main sponsor of SHL?
– Obviously I don’t like it. For me it feels like double standards. Of course, I understand that money comes into play. That they are necessary. But it is a shame that it is the gaming companies that defend them in these leagues.
– For me, it doesn’t belong. You shouldn’t do that. But do it.
SO YOU CAN SEEK HELP IF YOU ARE DEPENDENT ON GAMES
What is gambling addiction?
If you are addicted to the game, you have lost control of your game. The game goes beyond your relationships, your finances, your work and you cannot stop playing.
How do I seek help?
Anonymous testing can be done at www.stodlinjen.If you are addicted to gambling or are at risk of doing so.
You can also contact the helpline at 020-81 91 00 wherever you live in the country. You can be anonymous and it costs nothing.
To receive assistance, you can also contact a health care center, a dependency clinic, the social service in your municipality, or occupational health care at your workplace.
Source: Care Guide 1177
“They have to get good pay”
Fredrik Svensson continues:
– It is the same as advertising for these celebrity profiles. They have to get good pay.
Aren’t they thinking completely?
– No I dont think so. At the same time, I understand that someone who has not been where you were may not reflect on the impact it can have on people.
– But I feel: “Why do they place such ads? They don’t have to!“But … well, they don’t think so.
How have students in the country’s hockey gyms reacted to your story?
– Although the young boys are sitting and looking at the floor, I think they take care of themselves. And then many of their leaders said, “You’ve probably never seen them like this.”
What message do you want to convey?
– That help is there. Don’t be afraid to reach out a hand. The clubs want to help, they don’t want anyone to underperform because they have secondary problems.
How should you do if you feel like you’re playing too much?
– First of all, talk to someone you trust. Someone who can help you more, contact a psychologist or educator. I received help through Sico.
Can’t do it on your own?
– No, if you end up in an addiction, you basically can’t get out of it on your own. It is almost impossible. You have to take help.
TV: Traveling was the beginning of Jacob’s abuse
Now hockey talent Jakob chooses to talk about his problems.
