Hi Im new to this but really am at my wits end with my partner. He has been a compulsive gambler for the best part of 16 years,possibly longer, we have been together for 10 of those and unfortunately I didnt find out about his problem til about a year after we had been together. As most of us have probably thought at some stage "its ok we can help fix him/her", sadly 9 years on from that not alot has changed. He went to GamAnon for a while and also his parents paid for hypnosis which hadnt worked. Currently we are awaiting a phone call for counselling since being referred on friday via this website. He did stop gambling (to my knowledge) for some time and stupid me started to allow him access to accounts etc again as I believed he was on the up with it all. Sadly last week I discovered he relapsed about 7 months ago and been gambling since on the credit card. Absolutely gutted! We have 4 kids so financially we really didnt need this. He says he wants help and doesnt want to lose our family but to be honest Ive heard this so many times, the lies and deceit eventually wears you down, not sure if theres an up! Anyone in similar situation? I really want to help him but not sure how and the other flip side of things is that can I really risk mine and our kids lives having to constantly watch his every move incase his gambling and lies damages us further down the line. So difficult!
Hi SarahB. I would tell him to go back to GA. You can go to a gamanon meeting, they are for relatives/partners affected by gambling. Addiction is very powerful and is a constant battle, it never goes away, they just have to arrest it. You need to look after you, secure finances, get credit reports. Get some support. I'm in control of me and the finance. I don't watch my cgs every move, that his choice if he gambles, I can't stop him. Going to gamanon helps you, helps you get strong and deal with the destructive behaviour.
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