My dad has been gambling for about 12 years (that's we know of) and has recently ended a 3 year relationship because of the guilt. He got fired from a well paid job, ruined his marriage to my mum and split up our family. He's in so much debt but won't talk to any of us. Where can we start trying to help him?
Hi Bumblebee,
First of all it's great that you want to help your dad and I'm sure even he can't come out with it right now, your dad is very proud of you.
I'm a compulsive gambler myself and just like your dad I've isolated myself whilst I was still gambling and even I got offered loads of help when my family found out what's going on with me, I kept gambling and put myself deeper and deeper in isolation.
It's a mixture out of guilt and not accepting that I can't handle my life, what lead me into isolation and I think it's similar with your dad.
The sad truth is that you can't do anything,as long as your dad isn't doing the first and most important step to recovery. He has to admit that he has a gambling problem and that he can't handle it on it's own. He might not be ready for it yet, we are all on one way the same with our addiction, but still different in how much we have to lose before we admit and allowing others to help us to get this devilish addiction under control.
Fact is that you are here in the right hands for support in any way. Maybe you should mention the site to your dad when you have a conversation with him.
Not telling him to visit the site just mention the site he might show no interest at all but that's the outside, inside he might have a thought about it and have a look into it when he is on a downer.
We gambler are used of tricking and sometimes we need to be tricked 😉
I really hope that your dad finds the strength to admit and to be willing to change.
All the best for you and I hope you get your dad back the way you want him to be
Wolfgang
Content removed by Forum Admin.
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
