Hi all,Â
I'd really welcome feedback from both those in recovery and affected others.
I'm an affected other, wife / ex-wife. My whole life has been turned upside by someone else's gambling. I lost the man I love. I lost the future I thought I'd have. My career. My home and I might never be able to now be a Mum.Â
I've moved back home to my parents (eternally grateful) at 33 and am re-building my life, in a new job seeing friends again and am in therapy, peer support and basically anything that can help me heal!Â
My partner / ex-partner talks as if its me that's abandoned him, and the problems are me and gambling isn't even a thing and yeah I won't bore you, it's been hell.
My question is, if you've got this far, is HOW THE HELL DO I LIVE WITH GAMBLING ADVERTS, BOOKIES EVERYWHERE!!?Â
Don't get me wrong, if we were to measure who it's hardest on I totally understand it would be those in recovery but I just want to hold space for how hard it is for those affected others.
I walk past bookies and literally can't help but stare inside. I've never gambled and so I want to look in the face of the thing that's causing me this grief, I want to maybe see if people in there look happy, sad. I want to see if the people who work there are happy, sad. I want to smash a window. I want to take all the people in there and give them a hug. I want to run into parliament and scream at them about the harm gambling does. I literally cannot fathom how im supposed to exist in a world where this evil also exists. God, that sounds self righteous. Just any tips?
Hi this is great topic and i can totally relate i am the gambler in recovery i agree gambling being legal and the constant adverts make it harder then it is i am 3years without a bet even though my life completely changed i dont even like anyone who gambles the sad reality gambling is like fashion brands the adverts promote it then u have the casual gambliers who glorify gambling my perception has completely changed my way of thinking now is anyone who indulges in gambling isnt someone who i will associate with i believe gambling is ethically and morally wrong and i dont respect such people maybe its this thinking is what kept me away👍
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