When we think about addiction, we often focus on the person who is struggling. But behind every addiction is usually a family carrying a burden that no one else sees. You may have found yourself asking: “Should I continue to help pay his debts?” "Did I do something wrong?" "How much longer can I do this?" "Why do I feel so angry… and then guilty for feeling that way?" Perhaps you've lost sleep worrying about your loved one. Maybe you've covered for them, lent them money, or h

It is important for the affected family members to seek help to understand their loved one’s condition and also to learn coping skills and strategies. Mr. and Mrs. W, a couple in their 70s, have spent many years worrying about their son, who struggles with problem gambling. Like many loving parents, they did everything they could to help him, including repeatedly paying off his gambling debts. However, despite their sacrifices, their son's gambling continued. Eventually, they

At the Mandarin Talk co-organised by One Hope Centre and Glimmer of Hope Ministry on 6 June 2026, an affected family member, Mr D, gave a heartfelt testimony about the challenges, fears, and emotional toll that addiction can have on families. He shared how sad he felt when he saw how the problem gambling of his wife is taking a toll on his daughter who started to grow apart from her mother as she was not able to cope with the stress. He also shared how support from facilitato

Our counsellor, Ho Mi Nie was interviewed by Straits Times on football betting during this season of the World Cup 2026. Read how the National Council for Problem Gambling (NCPG) intends to put a campaign to raise awareness on problem gambling. Ms Ho weighs in with her views as well. We can help. Call 65471011. Click here to read the Straits Times article. Football gambling is addictive because of the illusion of knowledge and skill in football

If someone you love is struggling with addiction, you may spend most of your energy worrying about them. Some of below questions will run through your mind. Are they in debt? Are they lying again? Are they safe? Will they relapse? Will things ever change? In the process, you may forget one important person: Yourself. You may think, “They are the one with the problem, not me.” But addiction affects the entire family emotionally, mentally and sometimes financially. You are allo

If someone in your family is struggling with gambling addiction, you may already be living with the aftermath — the financial strain, the broken trust, the arguments, the silences. And alongside all of that, you may be trying to make sense of something that feels deeply confusing. Why can't they just stop? Did we do something wrong? Is this our fault? Are we enabling them by staying by their sides? Are we abandoning them by stepping back? Families affected by gambling addicti

Whenever pornography addiction is discussed, the focus is often on the individual struggling with that addiction. However, the impact rarely stops there. Family members whether they are spouses, partners, and children — are often deeply affected. Yet their pain remains largely invisible and often unspoken. Understanding how pornography addiction affects family members/spouses/partners is essential for building compassionate, effective pathways toward healing — not only for in

Festive seasons are often associated with joy, togetherness, and celebration. However, for some individuals and families, these periods can also bring increased stress, emotional strain, and risk. During festive times, gambling-related harm may increase due to: Social pressure to participate Beliefs around “luck,” prosperity, or winning Financial stress from spending and expectations Loneliness or emotional vulnerability beneath the celebrations It’s important to understand t

What Are Behavioural Addictions? Behavioural addictions involve repeated actions that feel difficult to control, even when they begin to cause harm. These behaviours often start as ways to cope with stress, emotional pain, loneliness, or overwhelming life circumstances. Common forms of behavioural addiction include: Gambling Internet or online gaming Compulsive spending or shopping Pornography use Sex addiction Love addiction If this sounds familiar, you are not alone — and h

Persons with gambling addiction do not look like what we imagine. They could be professionals, parents, and partners—people who have regular day jobs and families. But beneath all these is a person who is struggling with a secret. Gambling addiction often takes root not in recklessness, but in moments of stress, loneliness, or vulnerability. Sam (not his real name) was one such individual. He shares his story in the hope that others may find courage to seek help but more so