Help for relatives and friends of the addict
Introduction
One family member's gambling addiction is stressful for everyone. A support hotline has been created not only for the players themselves, but also for their relatives and friends. Here you will receive not condemnation, but specific tools to help the addict and maintain your own emotional and financial health.
1. Where to call and what to say
1. Gamblers Help (1800 858 858)
- Clarify "I'm not calling as a player, but as a family member/friend."
2. Lifeline (13 11 14)
- For emergency psychological help in case of severe stress and panic.
3. Gambling Help Online Chat
- On the site gamblinghelponline. org. au → "Chat now" → indicate that you support a loved one.
2. What questions can you ask the consultant
How to set boundaries: Tips to limit a dependent's access to money and devices.
How to talk: Phrases and scenarios for difficult conversations without escalating the conflict.
Personal resources: where to find support family groups (Gam-Anon), face-to-face and online meetings.
Psychological help: how to organize an initial consultation for yourself and your addict.
Financial measures: how to ask the bank to block MCC codes or set limits on common accounts.
3. Border building strategies
1. Separate finances: Transfer your personal and family accounts to separate cards.
2. Joint spending control: agree on a weekly review of bank statements with the "controller" - a third, neutral person.
3. House rules: Prescribed (verbally or in writing) frameworks: "No borrowing for bets" and "Open conversations without charges."
4. Self-care
Sleep and rest mode: do not transfer the conflict to yourself - allocate daily time for a hobby or walk.
Emotional offload: Call Lifeline when you feel anxious or angry about an addict.
Support for yourself: sign up for separate consultations with psychologists, take burnout tests.
5. Support Groups and Communities
Gam-Anon / Gamblers Anonymous Family Groups
- Regular meetings of relatives of addicts: exchange of experience, mutual support.
Online Forum Gambling Help
- Anonymous topics "Relatives" and "Partners": tips and stories of recovery.
Local ACCHS centers (for Aboriginal families)
- Culturally adapted programs of work with addiction and its impact on the community.
6. Next steps with consultant
1. First call plan:
Conclusion
The hotline is your tool not only for emergency advice, but also for developing a long-term plan to support the addict and protect yourself. Call, write to the chat, use groups - together you will quickly restore harmony in the family and help your loved one get out of the vicious circle of bets.
One family member's gambling addiction is stressful for everyone. A support hotline has been created not only for the players themselves, but also for their relatives and friends. Here you will receive not condemnation, but specific tools to help the addict and maintain your own emotional and financial health.
1. Where to call and what to say
1. Gamblers Help (1800 858 858)
- Clarify "I'm not calling as a player, but as a family member/friend."
2. Lifeline (13 11 14)
- For emergency psychological help in case of severe stress and panic.
3. Gambling Help Online Chat
- On the site gamblinghelponline. org. au → "Chat now" → indicate that you support a loved one.
2. What questions can you ask the consultant
How to set boundaries: Tips to limit a dependent's access to money and devices.
How to talk: Phrases and scenarios for difficult conversations without escalating the conflict.
Personal resources: where to find support family groups (Gam-Anon), face-to-face and online meetings.
Psychological help: how to organize an initial consultation for yourself and your addict.
Financial measures: how to ask the bank to block MCC codes or set limits on common accounts.
3. Border building strategies
1. Separate finances: Transfer your personal and family accounts to separate cards.
2. Joint spending control: agree on a weekly review of bank statements with the "controller" - a third, neutral person.
3. House rules: Prescribed (verbally or in writing) frameworks: "No borrowing for bets" and "Open conversations without charges."
4. Self-care
Sleep and rest mode: do not transfer the conflict to yourself - allocate daily time for a hobby or walk.
Emotional offload: Call Lifeline when you feel anxious or angry about an addict.
Support for yourself: sign up for separate consultations with psychologists, take burnout tests.
5. Support Groups and Communities
Gam-Anon / Gamblers Anonymous Family Groups
- Regular meetings of relatives of addicts: exchange of experience, mutual support.
Online Forum Gambling Help
- Anonymous topics "Relatives" and "Partners": tips and stories of recovery.
Local ACCHS centers (for Aboriginal families)
- Culturally adapted programs of work with addiction and its impact on the community.
6. Next steps with consultant
1. First call plan:
- Briefly describe the situation (who, when, what happened).
- Formulate one or two specific goals (support, restrict access to money, build a dialogue).
- 2. Follow-up: Arrange a follow-up in 3-7 days to assess progress.
- 3. Reading and video materials: the consultant will send links to verified checklists, instructions and webinars for families.
Conclusion
The hotline is your tool not only for emergency advice, but also for developing a long-term plan to support the addict and protect yourself. Call, write to the chat, use groups - together you will quickly restore harmony in the family and help your loved one get out of the vicious circle of bets.
