In this section, affected others describe the breadth of experiences of gambling harm across multiple domains of their lives.
The nature and severity of these harms can vary depending on the relationship between the person who gambled and the type of affected other.
Harm is pervasive and burdens lives long after gambling has stopped. Harms are complex and overlapping. Harm in one area of life contributes to harm in another part of life, so taken together, harm adds up to more than each area looked at alone.
People describe their experience of financial harms, relationship-related harms, suicidality, mental and physical health harms, impacts on work, connection to a community, and criminal acts. They also provide insights into the harm endured by the person who gambled.
You can navigate through peoples’ experiences by using the toolbar or by clicking on the links above.
You’re so bound up in what they’re doing that you neglect yourself really, and I really did neglect myself. I couldn’t afford to get my haircut to be fair, but I did nothing for me. I was doing nothing for me at all at that point. Everything was about him.
I wouldn’t be able to sleep overnight and I’d always worry ironically, “Well, if he ever does anything, and I haven’t supported him, then, I don’t want that on my conscience,” and all the other things.
It did impact his kids. There’s no doubt about that and it’s had long-reaching consequences on his kids. They are all grown up now. Even today, it still affects his relationship with his children, and this is years down the line.
I don’t do a lot of things, I’m not as outgoing as I used to be. I’m stressed all the time. I’m worrying about money constantly. When we have it, I’m worried that he is going to gamble it. When we don’t have it, I am worried about where it’s going to come from.