Son broke down in tears today as he opened up to me about his bad gambling habit. I had no idea. He has managed to lose his whole child trust fund and what he had saved of a years wages. All.. gone..huge sums, although fortunately no debt.
He has with help of GamCare deleted all apps and blocked sites etc. He is on the list for speaking to one of the counsellors in their support teamÂ
I am glad he has opened up. And have told him I'm proud he has taken that step as well as the one to talk to GamCare by himself, as these first steps must be hard. He suggested to hand over control of his finances to me, but I worry that this would not really be helpful especially in the longer term.Â
Is there any advice you could give me how to deal with this, and support him as best as I can?
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My advice is that he has his whole life ahead. Im 37 and still to this day i regret i didnt sort it out 20 years ago. If he continues he will lose out of a lot of things. I couldnt do things with friends because i was skint due to gambling, i never brought a house because of gambling, basically i never achieved my goals, its time i will never ever get back and i live in constant regret.
You have surport him and take each day but thinks will get easier and life will get happier but it will be him who will see the massive rewards if he stops gambling just like lamps said I have missed out on loads holidays friends growing up properly having a good job so try your best and tell your son 1 hour 1 day 1 week 1 month at a time we can do this and want to do thisÂ
Thank you both for taking the time to post. I know it's going to be a tough journey, and that it is early days yet, but he has been putting things in place for his recovery. I'm just wary of hovering and becoming too much in his face, yet still want him to know I'm there for him. It is a fine balance..
In your process has there been anything that you have found super helpful that someone did for you?Â
I'm sorry to hear lamps that you are still living with regrets to this date. To me 37 sounds young enough to draw a line for a fresh start. But I know that is easier said than done.Â
I wish I knew. I want to help my boyfriend but I don't know how.
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