Not caring anymore - partner has a gambling and pot addiction

[Kahlo_25]

I’m not really sure where to start but amongst a whole heap of family issues I’ve been dealing with a partner with a quite severe gambling and pot addiction as well as anxiety and depression. I’m at a point now where I feel I am depressed. We are at a point now where we face loosing our house, car, everything really. Our electricity will be cut off soon and probably our phones. And I just thought to myself how nice it must be to not actually care. He seems to cruise through life through life not caring. So long as he has pot and poker machines in his life all else can go to hell apparently?? I’m almost positive he went with me to the counsellor simply to appease me when I said I thought he needed help. I’m finding it all somewhat beyond my control now and am completely lost. I’ve sought medical help locally but a pat on the back from your GP and a “ there there” is just not good enough. I never expected to come away with a List of prescriptions as long as my arm but I certainly expected more than I got. Where the hell can we go. We have no finances to pay large sums of money to professionals so I am very very lost.

[Soberlicious96]

Dear Kahlo,

Welcome to Beyond Blue and well done for reaching out. Although I must say, I am sorry to hear of what it is that has brought you here.

It is horrible to watch someone we love destroying themselves, and the lives of those around them due to addiction. It's like they are completely blind to what is going on. I too had a partner once, who was a chronic gambler, and he was also alcoholic and violent too.

I ended up getting help from a fellowship called 'Al-anon' which is for friends and families of those affected by someone else's drinking. There is also a fellowship called 'Nar-anon' which is very similar to Al-anon, in that it is for those affected by someone else's addiction. The number for Nar-anon is 0280041214 and the website also may have some more information for you to check out:

http://www.naranon.com.au/

And although Nar-anon is mostly for those using drugs, addiction is sometimes more than what people take; it's about what they do in an obsessive compulsive manner.

Anyway, I do hope that helps at least a little. Because even if he cannot or will not get help, doesn't mean you can't get help for yourself. I wish you all the best in finding the help and support you need. And of course, you can come back here, to this thread, as much as you like.

Take care, I'll be thinking of you. xo