Australia

Gambling Addiction: A Geelong Woman Tells Her Story

A woman in the Geelong area revealed the devastating effects of her husband’s addiction at this year’s Gambling Awareness Week.

Awareness week, which encourages people to talk about the harms associated with gambling and the impact gambling has on communities, families, friends, workplaces and individuals, continues through Sunday.

Sarah (not her real name) became concerned when she found out that her partner had depression a week before the wedding. gambling addiction.

She made it through the wedding and lived in the hope that she would be able to “fix it.”

She called the Gamblers Helpline and talked to someone.

Sarah was referred to a financial counselor at Bethany Community Support.

“My husband still never admitted to having an STD, gambling addictionI was sure because all the signs were still there,” said Sarah.

These ranged from unexplained money to fraud, she said.

“I went from someone who always paid bills on time and managed money well to someone who had no money at all,” she said.

After months of emotional abuse from her husband, Sarah decided to leave home with her teenage daughter.

She said life was “just miserable” for the mother-daughter pair.

Bethany’s caseworker helped Sarah secure a new rental property.

“My caseworker made a living for me,” she said.

“I didn’t expect all the support and assistance I received when I made the first call.

“My next step is to work with a financial counselor to help me budget, save, and get out of debt.”

It is estimated that for every person who has a gambling problem, seven more people are adversely affected.

person’s gambling behavior It can have serious social, emotional, physical, and economic impacts on those closest to you.

Last fiscal year, Bethany assisted over 400 individuals and families seeking treatment and financial counseling affected by gambling-related harm.

Bethany has offices in Geelong, Warrnambool and Horsham.

In addition to financial and therapeutic counseling, Bethany offers a variety of services including school and parent education sessions. Professional development to increase awareness of signs and referral pathways. Assisting businesses in developing gambling-related harm policies. Venue training to support awareness and response of patrons affected by gambling.

If you have any concerns about your gambling or someone you know, please call Bethany on 03 5278 8122 or email intain@bethany.org.au.

first published as How a woman is recovering from a ‘miserable’ marriage to a troubled gambler

Gambling Addiction: A Geelong Woman Tells Her Story

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