[Monty_girl]

I think my mother-n-law has a gambling addiction. She's called this morning asking for money again, saying she needs gas and cigarettes. We don't have the money to give her in the first place and we know good and well she's going to gamble any money we give her. She's writing bad checks everywhere and was $2000 overdrawn in her checking account recently. She doesn't work and just blows everything her husband makes. He doesn't know that she's been gambling again. After they filled bankruptcy she said she would never gamble again. Now we found out she's drowning again. How do you make someone stop? All I know to do is not to give her money. Do we let her go to jail for the bad checks if she does it again? Is there a way to help her stop?

[(JD)]

This has to feel overwhelming to you. She needs to be held responsible for her actions, but also needs professional help imo. You can't make anyone stop anything, they have to do so themself! Don't take on the guilt that this disorder/illness tends to put on family and friends. And don't take on the financial burden either! If you do that, then everyone in the family will go down with the ship!

Take care. You can also get help from the Gamblers Anonymous organization.