Gambling Therapy logo
Viewing 2 reply threads
  • Author
    Posts
    • #7003
      1961Clyde
      Participant

      I have just discovered my sister has a problem with fruit machines.
      Probably not bookies but amusement arcades certainly.
      She has needed care since birth. Can function to meet her own needs
      if she has the funds which she has never gone short of.
      She held down a job she got after leaving school until made redundant and
      has never worked since. She is extremely trusting to people and can get
      talked into anything. eg. She bought a complete kitchen from a door to door
      salesman. It couldn’t fit into the house. The redundancy money went.
      My other sister and I thought she had been taken advantage of by some
      bloke. But it seems it went on fruit machines from bank accounts seen by us.
      Now the money is gone she lives from an account with limited funds.
      She won’t be short unless she blows it.
      Now she has started to lie about having no money.
      She is blowing her limited funds.
      She is an addict.
      She will always need care. Has no idea about forms and all that. And thank
      whoever she has no idea how to work a PC but the mobile is a worry. Far to easy on a mobile.
      She actually does have a care worker who takes her out shopping and stuff like that and have
      told my other sister we need to speak with this worker alone to find out how much she is
      actually responsible for her in regards to her care.
      As a family we have a responibility to care for her. And that includes after we are gone.
      None of us are getting any younger. And I don’t want to leave her in a position where she
      is a danger to herself along with all her other problems.

    • #7004
      velvet
      Moderator

      Hello Clyde

      Thanks for starting a thread in the Gambling Therapy friends and family forum. This forum will provide you with warmth and understanding from your peers.

      Feel free to use the friends and family group, you’ll find the times for these if you click on the “Group times” box on our Home page

      Read about the friends and Family Online Groups

      Now that you have introduced yourself you’ll find that many of the people you meet here have already read your initial introduction and they’ll welcome you in like an old friend 🙂

      If you’re the friend or family member of someone who is either in, or has been through, the GMA residential programme please take extra care to make sure that nothing you say in groups, or on our forums, inadvertently identifies that person. Even if your loved one isn’t connected with GMA, please don’t identify them either directly or indirectly just in case they decide to use the site themselves.

      You’ll find a lot of advice on this site, some of which you’ll follow, some you won’t…but that’s ok because only you fully understand your situation and what’s best for you and the people you love. So, take the support you need and leave the advice you don’t because it all comes from a caring, nurturing place 🙂

      We look forward to hearing all about you!

      Take care

      The Gambling Therapy Team

      PS: Let me just remind you to take a look at our privacy policy and terms and conditions so you know how it all works!

    • #7005
      i-did-it
      Participant

      Hi Clyde,
      I can understand your concern regarding your sister. You say she has a care worker – does this person help with her money management? Does your sister have a social worker? This would be a good place to start as she may need someone to control there amount of money she has at her disposal .

      With regard to the mobile phone, it is easy to put a gambling blocker such as “gamban” on her phone.

      I’m not sure quite how much your sister understands about what is happening but it is important that everything is explained to her and that her opinion is respected on every decision.

      Perhaps it would also be worth talking to your sister’s social worker (if she doesn’t have one you may need to apply for a disability social worker) to find out if she has other activities to fill her times if not perhaps they could also signpost her to suitable activities.

      If you check the forums for people who gamble there will be lots of advice on there on barriers to prevent gambling.

      There are also groups on here which you might find useful where you can chat to others.

      Your situation sounds quite unique, and your concern for your sister is admirable – I hope my post helps a little.

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.