I don't want anyone to reply honestly I just want to rant. My son is a gambler, don't know if you'd call it compulsive but he gambles I know that much! He admitted it two years ago and I gave him my last couple of thousand to help him, "he'd hit rock bottom blah blah.. and he was never going to do it again and he was going to pay me back every penny". It was "important to him" hah!! Has he paid me back every penny? , NO he gave me bits and pieces amounting to £650 then he seems to have forgotten he ever had it but he would, wouldn't he?? He has to feed his filthy habit. He promised me if he felt the urge he would speak to me straight away. I asked him, begged him to join GamCare to come on here and get help. But NO he said "I can do it with your help mum." I fell for it then but over the piece I have realised he is still at it, probably never stopped.
His dad has given him money over the years on some pretext or other, more lies in fact, all he ever does is lie. He did repay his dad the last lump he borrowed over a few weeks and constantly dines out on it...how decent he was, how good he was to repay his dad, how he is determined to build trust between them. But my husband isn't fooled for one moment, he knows he will be back for more which he won't repay, he will conveniently forget it again and again. But we aren't a bottomless pit, we are old and he is gradually going through our savings. Not a big deal, he is our only child and will get whatever is left anyway, but we worked hard all our lives and I didn't expect our twilight years to be spent worrying and anxious, and now I'm just angry and frustrated and don't actually want anything to do with him. Who'd have thought it? Can't believe I've come to this.
That is so sad to hear. I completely understand why you feel that way. I am a compulsive gambler and it’s a vile addiction which destroys families. No excuses just no easy solution.
you should send this to him.
Just leave him to it, to get on with his life or not as the case maybe.
You enjoy your retirement and don't give him anymore money.
All the best
As gambling man I get it its disgusting us gamblers giving are loved ones half arsed excuses of why we do this and put people like yourselves through it its simply wrong!!!
Don't give him money you are literally feeding the addiction
Be pragmatic you no he has an addiction and your lending him the money this is not sensible just gambling is not sensible!!!!
Be hard on your son being 'woolly' over the issue wont help!!!
When he shows genuine remorse insist he gets professionally seen bye a gambling counsellor they are out there!!!
I would advise looking up GamAnon on Google and talking to someone from that Fellowship. You may be fortunate enough to have a regular meeting near to you. I can't say any more than that but I do empathise as I know what I put my own family and mother particularly through. Gambling is a terrible disease.
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