HELP FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY GAMBLING
When gambling affects someone you love,
it rarely affects just one person.
Partners, parents, and family members often find themselves pulled into the stress — trying to protect, monitor, manage, or make sense of what’s happening without knowing what to do next.
At The Recovery Partners, we’ve worked with many families navigating this from both sides of the table — and we’ve personally sat on both sides of it as well.
Often, the most well-intended attempts to help become exhausting or unsustainable — and can even wind up making matters worse.
If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to turn, you're not alone.
We've been there, and we can help.
FREE FAMILY
STRATEGY CALL
You’re welcome to schedule a Free Family Strategy Call — with no obligation to talk through what’s happening and get a clearer sense of your options.
This isn’t about fixing your loved one or convincing them to change.
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step out of crisis mode
sort through what you’re dealing with
begin to see the situation more clearly
respond in ways that protect your own well-being
Whether or not you move forward with coaching, many families find it helpful to have one grounded conversation before deciding what to do next.
HELP FOR LOVED ONES
5 Sessions · Typically Completed Over 2–4 Weeks · $750
For families who would like more structured support, this short coaching program is designed for partners, parents, and loved ones of someone struggling with gambling.
The focus is not on fixing, convincing, or controlling the person who gambles.
Instead, the work centers on helping you regain emotional stability, reduce overreaction, and make clearer decisions rooted in self-respect rather than fear.
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experience greater peace of mind
develop a stronger sense of empowerment
and receive meaningful support along the way
This program is designed to help you steady yourself and reclaim a sense of direction, regardless of what your loved one chooses to do next.
What This Coaching Focuses On
Through guided conversation, reflection, and practical coaching, this program supports loved ones in:
stepping out of constant crisis mode
separating facts from fear and speculation
recognizing unhelpful reactive cycles and beginning to shift them
rebuilding trust in their own judgment and instincts
communicating more clearly and calmly
establishing boundaries that protect emotional and practical well-being
making decisions without waiting for guarantees
Support and resources are part of the work.
Depending on your situation, we may also discuss options such as family support groups, community resources, or therapy — and help you decide what, if anything, makes sense to add alongside this coaching.
5 Sessions
How the Program Unfolds
This program follows a general direction, but it is adaptable based on your situation. As things become clearer, we decide together what the most helpful next steps look like. That includes whether it makes sense to involve the person gambling in a later session, and what additional support might be useful for you.
Orientation and Regaining Stability
Session 1 · Helping you slow things down and feel steadier
We begin by slowing the pace and getting clear on what has been happening.
This session focuses on helping you regain a sense of stability, sort through what you have been dealing with, and understand what this coaching process can offer.
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what has felt most overwhelming or consuming
separating what you know from what you fear
naming emotions clearly
clarifying what this program is and is not
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what support, if any, you are currently getting
what has or hasn’t helped in the past
where things feel especially heavy right now
The goal is not to hand you a list of “shoulds,” but to make sure you have support and options — and that you are not trying to handle everything alone.
Patterns, Roles, and New Ways of Relating
Session 2 · Understanding what has been happening and where change is possible
In this session, we look at common patterns that often develop when gambling affects a family — including monitoring, rescuing, withdrawing, threatening, or alternating between hope and frustration.
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identify unhelpful reactive cycles
understand how well-intended responses may be adding strain or confusion
clarify what is yours to handle, and what is not
consider different ways of responding that reduce tension rather than escalate it
We also revisit the support question in a more direct way and talk through realistic options you may be willing to try.
Boundaries, Communication, and Clarifying the Path Forward
Session 3 · Practical guidance and deciding next steps
This session focuses on how you handle real conversations and real situations.
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understanding the difference between boundaries and ultimatums
communicating without pleading, lecturing, or policing
identifying what clear, respectful boundaries actually sound like in everyday situations
rebuilding confidence in your own judgment and instincts
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how supported you currently feel
whether additional support would be helpful at this stage
whether involving the person gambling in a later session makes sense, or does not
By the end of this session, there is usually a clearer sense of direction.
Moving Forward
Session 4 · Supporting the path identified in Session 3
Based on what was clarified previously, this session supports one of two directions.
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strengthening boundaries and follow-through
protecting your emotional and practical well-being
reducing self-blame
learning how to tolerate uncertainty without becoming stuck
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preparing for a supported joint session
setting expectations clearly (not as an intervention or confrontation)
clarifying the purpose, tone, and boundaries for that conversation
Integration and Ongoing Support
Session 5 · (Optional Joint Session)
The final session is about consolidating what you’ve worked on and
reinforcing your stability.
If the person gambling participates, this session may involve a facilitated conversation focused on shared understanding, expectations, and boundaries — without pressure or persuasion.
If they do not participate, the session focuses on reinforcing clarity, reviewing decisions you’ve made, and strengthening your sense of direction.
In both cases, we revisit ongoing sources of support such as family support groups, community resources, therapy, or other tools — helping you decide what will best support you going forward.
The aim is for you to leave the program feeling steadier, supported, and clear about how you want to move ahead.
Have questions or wondering if this support makes
sense for your situation?
If you’d like to talk through what’s happening and see whether this program
could support you, you’re invited to connect.