Ep. 10 - Effects of Gambling on Spouses & Families

Behind each person with a gambling problem there are typically six others directly impacted. This includes a spouse, family, friends and colleagues. They are often carrying a heavy load: worry about finances, anger, fear, and confusion about what to do next.

Is someone you care about struggling with gambling? Click on the green play button now to hear from two spouses who have been through it and a counsellor specializing in gambling problems. This episode of our podcast Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems is for those of you impacted by gambling - family, spouses, and friends.

If you would like to check out the rest of our episodes, click on the red button below. Be sure to subscribe to Fold em, so you never miss out on new shows.

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As problem gambling gets out of control the fallout spreads

However, there is help and hope for spouses and families

In this episode of our podcast, Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems, we turn our attention to the people impacted by gambling problems: spouses, family members, friends and colleagues. The gambler doesn’t intend or expect to hurt these people when first making a bet, but as it gets out of control the fallout spreads.

My spouse has the gambling problem. How come I’m having such a hard time?

Jen Gregg, who works with Gambling Support British Columbia, has been helping families with this issue for more than 20 years. She says that the side effects of gambling are real and significant. These include:

  • money problems: not having enough and feeling pressured to cover for the gambler

  • relationship strain: disconnection and conflict

  • emotional concerns: self-doubt, confusion, anger, hurt, betrayal

  • stress and burnout: taking on more and feeling like you don’t have control

  • upset for children: feeling forgotten, confused and anxious as the adults in their life struggle with stress

I want to fix this problem, but am finding it really hard to be supportive

In this episode of Fold em, Jen interviews two spouses who have dealt with the consequences of gambling. It’s an open and honest conversation about the challenges they faced. These included:

  • wanting to believe it won’t happen again, but feeling panicked that it might

  • feeling hesitant to step in to manage finances, but frustrated and concerned when relapses keep happening

  • wanting to support the gambler’s recovery, but feeling resentful and finding it hard to trust

  • feeling hesitant to talk to family or friends and alone and isolated as a result

How have others dealt with this? Is there hope for me and our relationship?

Both of the guests on this episode report feeling on more steady ground these days. They have worked with their spouses on financial plans and ways to reduce the risk of gambling relapses. They are feeling less lost and overwhelmed.

Jen, along with these two spouses, offer ideas and encouragement for others affected by gambling. To listen in on their conversation, click the “play” button at the top of this page. If you prefer to listen from Apple or Google Podcasts, click on the red “Listen Now” button below. It can bring such relief to know you are not the only one and to have more ideas about how to move forward.

Fold em is a podcast hosted by Adrienne Cossom and her colleagues at Gambling Support BC. Whether you are looking at stopping or scaling back your own gambling or supporting a family member with a problem, this podcast will help you take back control. Hear from gamblers who have been through it and get tips from counsellors.

If you live in British Columbia and would like to connect with Jen Gregg, a counsellor with BC Gambling Support, click on the “connect with Jen” button.

To learn more about gambling concerns and how to access resources and support, go to the home page of this website OR click on the red “Learn More” button below.

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Ep. 11 - Gambling Support for Families: From Coping to Moving Forward

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Ep. 9 - Gambling Stress & Anxiety