In this powerful episode of the Recovery Toolkit Podcast, Richie is joined by Nicola Jaques, who shares her honest and emotional story of being affected by a loved one’s gambling addiction. Nicola opens up about the moment she discovered the addiction, the shock that followed, and the long road to finding support, not just for her partner, but for herself and her children too. We talk about the challenges faced by affected family members, the importance of self-care, and the emotional and financial costs that often go unseen. There’s also thoughtful advice about building financial awareness, breaking harmful cycles, and the value of small but important mindset shifts – like turning “budgeting” into a positive conversation. This episode highlights why wider community support and early intervention matter so much, and how recovery is a journey not only for the person who gambled, but for everyone around them. Brought to you by EPIC Restart Foundation, a national charity supporting people to rebuild their lives after gambling harm.