Hi Guys,
So this is my first time posting…
About two months ago my twin brother who live with me and my daughter confessed he had an issue with gambling. He’d taken out two loans totally 9K & had a 1k overdraft. He’d promised he wouldn’t gamble again, signed up to GamStop & pleaded for me to get a bank loan to help him out of the overdraft so he could pay the loan repayments.
He just sounded so desperate so I got the loan & gave him £1500. This did clear the overdraft but soon as he got paid he gambled again on non UK websites & again asked for money to get even again. Again caved as he was so upset & desperate. When he got paid again the end of May he again gambled & became distressed about a build up of pending transactions & again pleaded for me to lend again. I did however I told him I will not be able to help him again as it’s leaving me low on funds & crippling me as I all rent, food, bills etc.
I know he’s my brother but this is destroying me.
Apart from GamStop is there any other practical help sites? Gambling is all online.
Hello Caretaker
Welcome to the Forum where you will connect with others who have been affected by problem gambling. Problem gambling is cunning, powerful and baffling and without help it is too much.
As you have mentioned in your post; You have tried to help your Brother, however, as you have stated, this is destroying you.
Please know that you are not alone. I would also strongly recommend you have a look on the https://www.gam-anon.org This is a website specifically for friends and families of people who are affected by problem gamblers. There is all manner of support on there for people who are and who have gone through the same experiences and many find this peer-to-peer support incredibly helpful, both for themselves and to be able to help their loved one who is experiencing difficulties with gambling.
Along with the Forum and Gam-Anon, we have Advisers available 224/7 to help you through this. You can contact an Adviser by calling our Helpline on 0800 8020 133 or using our LiveChat option.
Please do pass on our details to your Brother. Your Brother has to want Recovery and this is something that you cannot do for him. "You can carry a message, however, do not carry the person".
I sincerely do hope that you get some support and that your brother makes contact.
Best
Amanda
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.
