My sister has a gambling addiction

[flex]

and I already knew that. She went through State-run treatment a couple of years ago. Well, she relapsed and is now going back into treatment.

Do any of you have family members with this problem?

[Nicole]

Yes, two of my dad's cousins and one of my aunts all were addicted to Indian Casinos.

[flex]

Oh by the way, you don't have to post on here that you know someone with a gambling addiction. You can PM me. I'd like to hear your experiences or if you were able to help them. I'm an addict myself, but it's alcohol and drugs. Gambling is something I'm not familiar with.

[Nicole]

In my case, I wasn't aware of their addictions until they were already in recovery. I have been able to support them in their recoveries though. We celebrate their "birthdays" and talk about it openly in the family.

[flex]

Thank you! : )

[pantsparty]

My former aunt did. She gambled away a large portion of his retirement before they got divorced. I felt so bad for him

[iamali]

My stepdad. I remember hearing my mom and him arguing about it when I was little.

One time before Xmas he apparently gambled away all the $$$ she was going to use to buy us presents.

He still gambles, but my mom really limits what he's "allowed" to spend.

[lifesapeach]

My MIL is an addictions therapist, and she treats drugs, alcohol, gambling, and sex addictions all of the time. I'm pretty sure they are treated in a similar manner. It's all kind of the same when it comes to the brain's functions. I'm sorry you are going through this, addictions are hard.

[flex]

Yeah, I've been in contact with her BFF. BFF had NO IDEA that my sis had that kind of addiction. She's feeling very hurt and distrustful right now. I told her that "fresh" addicts are all about themselves and often completely disregard the feelings of their friends and family--the people that love them the most.

It's very sad. I just hope that this is my sister's "bottom" and that the only way left to go is up.

[stephiehun]

My dad. As far as I know, he hasn't gambled since I was in junior high, which was nearly 20 years ago. He went to GA meetings for a long time, and wasn't allowed to have any cash on him when he first started going. From what I can gather, my family got off very easily - no gigantic debt or lost home or anything.

[winofairy]

Sorry flex! It sucks when family gets themselves tangled in a mess that spins in a downward spiral. I hope she can get back in the treatment program and back on the right track before it has completely ruined her life.

[roadbananas]

Jun 5, 2012 17:48:28 GMT -5 lifesapeach said:

My MIL is an addictions therapist, and she treats drugs, alcohol, gambling, and sex addictions all of the time. I'm pretty sure they are treated in a similar manner. It's all kind of the same when it comes to the brain's functions. I'm sorry you are going through this, addictions are hard.

THis is what I believe and what my docs have told me.

Flex, I am positive with what you went through, you can help give her guidance, advice and show her you care. With my Bipolar, Depression, OCD, she said that too was similar. I can relate to others with addictions. I have not faced a stituation where someone close to me has struggled with any sort of addiction or mental illness, but I can see it in others I have worked with and offer the best advice I can. Best of luck to her and you!

[sara76]

My father gambled. He had a bookie and bet on games. I was just a kid so I didn't really understand it, but he attempted suicide when I was in 7th grade and was forced into treatment. I don't know if he gambled again after that but he died of a heart attack when I was in 10th grade and I am sure it was from all those years of stress. That is the major thing I will not tolerate from a partner and I let H know that the minute things became even remotely serious. My brother and sister enjoy the casino and know their limit but I have an unreasonable aversion to it. Casinos make me nauseous.

[rottimom]

Yep, BIL. He's lied, stolen, forged checks, pawned jewelry he stole from my sister, conned bank tellers into helping him steal, conned a notary into falsifying a notarized document, borrowed money from everyone he has ever known and gambled it away. He has been threatened with bodily injury from his bookies and loan sharks (no shit!) I am silently hoping he misses a few payments and they fit him for cement boots. My sister deserves better, and so does their child. He pays nothing to her. Nothing. He works to support his gambling. He is a sad sack of shit and I hate what he has done to my sister.

I am not the most empathetic person about some kinds of addiction--however I do know that they are all basically treated the same way. I hope she has hit her bottom and she has not ruined too many lives to get there. She needs to dig her own ass out of the hole she is in though.

[flex]

I just got done talking to her BFF, and I'm finding out all kinds of things. I feel so bad for the BFF.

Anyway, my sister has a long road of redemption ahead of her. It sounds like she'll probably get in trouble with the state in addition to affecting my family and her friends. **sigh**

[roadbananas]

Jun 5, 2012 23:12:25 GMT -5 flex said:

I just got done talking to her BFF, and I'm finding out all kinds of things. I feel so bad for the BFF.

Anyway, my sister has a long road of redemption ahead of her. It sounds like she'll probably get in trouble with the state in addition to affecting my family and her friends. **sigh**

hang in there! ({)

[flex]

It doesn't affect me too much since I'm all the way up here in Alaska, but I don't want my mom to be too stressed out about it. I guess my sister is afraid her youngest daughter's dad is going to find out about her shenanigans and take my niece away. But you know, it's his DD too, so she may have accept the fact that she has to face the consequences.

[roadbananas]

Jun 5, 2012 23:18:27 GMT -5 flex said:

It doesn't affect me too much since I'm all the way up here in Alaska, but I don't want my mom to be too stressed out about it. I guess my sister is afraid her youngest daughter's dad is going to find out about her shenanigans and take my niece away. But you know, it's his DD too, so she may have accept the fact that she has to face the consequences.

Its sad but it may be what she needs (hopefully not offensive to you). I know when I was at my worst, not seeing my daughter every day was my rock bottom. Totally different situation and different circumstances, but as stated, they are all similar in a way.

i will say a prayer for her and you and your family.

[flex]

Thank you, RB. For your honesty and your prayers. : )