Gambler's partner

The gambler's partner, or family, has a more difficult situation than the gambler in many ways.

There will commonly be convoluted situations and emotional feelings which the partner/spouse has to deal with. Positive feelings and hopes about the relationship may contradict the negative feelings of gambling.

• Gamblers commonly lie about losses and their gambling activity, they may feel that is necessary.
• The partner has been lied to often and over a prolonged period.
  
• Trust from the gambler has been lost, though there once was mutual trust.
  
• The partner has no control or knowledge of past, current, or possible future gambling.
• There is a feeling of helplessness. The partner feels they cannot alter the situation, although it affects them.
• There is a feeling of guilt. The partner may consider that they are partiality responsible for the gambling issue.
• There are commonly reasons why separating from the gambler would not be emotionally or economically practical.
• The partner may feel that they are 'in competition' with the gambling, almost as a 'cheating rival'.
• The partner might have encouraged the fun part of gambling in the past - e.g. "let's have a bet on the Grand National", "let's go to the Casino for a night out". There may be a guilt feeling that they colluded with the issues. 

Counselling helps the partner to understand the reality of the gambling situation, with the possibility of how it might be if things change to a mutually non-gambling lifestyle. 

For an appointment, email, call or text: 07757 233386 UK. Email: info@counsellingworld.co.uk Or use contact page.