HI Jessica, yes I have had a similar experience. My mum is a compulsive gambler. All our family nights revolved around gambling..playing cards for pennies etc. I never remember her playing a normal board game with us.
Like most kids I loved the arcades by the sea side. I loved to play the penny machines etc, but once I got old enough to pass for 18 , my mum took me to real casinos. Looking back it wasn’t that she wanted to bring me … It was just a good cover for her. I didn’t need much encouragement I guess, because I loved the machines straight away. I was 13.

I still find it really difficult to say no when my mum wants to go. I find it really difficult to Want to say no. It’s like all my good intentions disappear. This has limited the visits I make to my mum, and also the time I spend with her, which makes me feel sad and guilty.

Jessica, I understand how difficult it can be. With the best will in the world it is really hard to say no to your parents about anything . It is difficult to explain as it makes them feeL criticised. Do your parents recognise that gambling has become compulsive for them? Has it caused money problems?

I think you rightly recognise that you need to put space between your parents and you, or at least have another activity planned so you can’t go. I find the concept of MAT very useful..barriers like money, access or time.. Take one of these away and you won’t be able to gamble.
I’m sorry I haven’t been more helpful. It’s a situation I find incredibly difficult myself , and one which usually leads to my relapsing.

I guess I was quite lucky my dad did not like gambling, was unaware of a lot of it, and worked very hard so we always had everything . I found it unusual that I got so much more pocket money than my friends. (Like a huge amount).Their mums used to buy their clothes . I always had so much I could buy my own, so maybe my dad saw more than I realised.

Keep posting . Know you are not alone. I think for most of us something has triggered this compulsion. A lot of people who become compulsive gamblers have been exposed to gambling at a young age, but many people manage to stop regardless.

As well as these threads there are also groups on here where you can chat . Check them out. They are really helpful

Hi Jessica,

How about getting yourself banned from the casino that they go to? That way you won’t be able to accompany them and they will know that there is no point asking you.

Ot sounds like you have been reading this site for a while, maybe start posting regulalrly now, you will get a lot of feedback and support.

If/when they start talking to you about gambling tell them you aren’t interested, if they continue then just leave the room, they will soon get the message.

What your parents do is out of your control, the actions you now take are in your control.

You are trying to stop so use all the support you can to help you do that. Post here, maybe try GA meetings, get the barriers in place that you will have been reading have helped others.

Keep posting and let us know what positive steps you are talking.

Bump