Woman's Gambling Addiction Linked to Menstrual Cycle Leaves Her Financially Ruined
A woman from London has disclosed that her severe gambling addiction, which she attributes to her menstrual cycle, left her without money for basic necessities like food and heating. Kiki Marriott, 40, would gamble for up to 24 hours at a time, three days a week, losing between £20 and £1,000 per session depending on her winnings.
Cycle of Despair and Discovery
In her quest for answers and to overcome the addiction, Kiki entered rehabilitation and joined support groups where she connected with other women facing similar struggles. It was during this process that she identified a direct link between her gambling urges and her period. "When I'm due on, I have zero patience and tolerance for life at times," Kiki explained. "My emotions are so heightened that everything feels overwhelming and like I'm drowning. I just wanted escapism from it all; so I gambled."
By tracking her feelings throughout her cycle, Kiki developed strategies to manage impulsive thoughts during her recovery. "I started not to feed my impulsive thoughts and feelings – and not to hit that f**k it button. It was all my hormones and the urge soon passed," she added.
Financial and Emotional Toll
Kiki, who bought her first scratch card at age 16, cannot recall the exact amount spent on gambling but describes her biggest loss as her "soul". The addiction began to severely impact her daily life in 2023, leading to suicidal thoughts, isolation, and a cycle of borrowing money from friends and her ex-boyfriend to fund her habit. Although her ex-boyfriend was upset, no legal action was taken, and Kiki worked to repay the debts quickly.
In December 2023, after attempting to borrow again, she realized a change was necessary and contacted GamCare's helpline. "I was broken and sick of my own behaviour," Kiki said. She was referred to rehab and has now remained gamble-free for nearly two years, with urges becoming rare and manageable through self-honesty.
Recovery and Advocacy
Despite regrets over her past actions, Kiki is grateful for the experience as it enables her to assist others in similar situations. "Gambling changed everything about me. I have to live with the decisions I made at that time. But it's made me into the person I am today," she reflected. Now a peer aid mentor volunteer, she advocates for more conversations and tools tailored to women's hormonal cycles to prevent such addictions.
"Make that first step – whether it's a referral or a call. It'll be the best decision you've ever made," Kiki urged. "To run through fear, if you're already at rock bottom, you've got nothing to lose by trying. I was drowning in the shame of my decisions. But I'm worth giving myself a chance – and I'm so glad that I did."
For support, Samaritans offers a 24-hour service at 116 123 in the UK and Ireland, or via email at jo@samaritans.org. GamCare provides help and advice for gambling issues.
