When you have a gambling addiction, it doesn’t just affect you as an individual, it touches your family and friends. The stress, secrecy, and financial strain can ripple through relationships, leaving loved ones feeling hurt, isolated, and unsure of how to help.
Too often, families carry this burden in silence, weighed down by stigma and the belief they need to manage it alone. But healing is possible. At The Bardo, we walk alongside both individuals and their families, helping to rebuild trust, restore connection, and move forward together.
How does gambling impact families?
For every person who gambles, research shows that six other people are affected. In other words, Australia’s world-record annual gambling losses of almost $32 billion every year are hitting Australian families hard. Alliance For Gambling Reform
Gambling can impact individuals’ families in many ways, including:
Emotional toll: Stress, anxiety, mistrust and feelings of betrayal.
Relationships: Conflict between partners, tension between parents and children and social withdrawal.
Financial strain: Debts, instability and loss of security.
All these things can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone – The Bardo is here to help.
Recognising the signs early
Gambling harm often starts quietly, making it easy to miss when it first starts. You might begin to notice secrecy around spending, unexplained money withdrawals, avoidance of conversations about money and even emotional distance.
For families, it can be confronting and painful to recognise these signs, but it’s also a powerful first step to take. The earlier these issues are acknowledged, the sooner the person can seek support and healing can begin.
At The Bardo, we recognise that recovery is about healing the hurt and rebuilding the connections that individuals value the most. That’s why we’ve created a safe space where you can feel supported and understood, not judged.
With our guidance, you can start to repair trust and begin to piece things back together. We also focus on the practical side of things, like learning healthy coping skills, managing triggers and finding a way forward with finances.
Because a gambling addiction is often tied to deeper emotional pain, our holistic approach aims to support mind, body and spirit – and our therapies reflect this. We believe recovery is within your reach, with time, care and the right support, families can come through this not only stronger but even closer than before.
Finding hope in small steps
We know recovery from a gambling addiction takes time. And that’s okay. Every step forward, no matter how small, is worth celebrating. It could be just having an honest conversation with a loved one, attending your first counselling session, or simply acknowledging the need for help, they are all powerful markers of change.
At The Bardo, we focus on progress, it’s not about perfection. As your journey with us continues, you can start to see light at the end of what often feels like a long tunnel. With our support, you can transform your pain into resilience and create stronger, more connected relationships.
Taking the next step with the team at The Bardo
Reaching out for help is about creating a new beginning. Our team is here to walk alongside both you and your family, offering support, understanding and practical tools for long-term healing.
With our gambling addiction help, it’s possible to rebuild trust, restore connection and find hope again. When you’re ready, our team is here to help you take that first step! Contact our Gold Coast retreat today.
