Breaking the Cycle of Rage & Addiction: A Father's Story

At Lifeline, we are privileged to witness stories of courage every day—stories that remind us how resilient people can be, even when they feel lost in the darkest moments of their lives. Recently, a father shared his journey with us, and, with his permission, we are sharing it here in hopes it may offer strength to someone who needs it.

He grew up with a mother who struggled with gambling addiction. Although he didn’t realize it at the time, the instability and unpredictability of those early years planted seeds of anxiety and coping patterns that would later resurface in his own life. During the COVID lockdowns—an already overwhelming time for so many—he stumbled into online gambling almost by accident. What started as a distraction quickly became a dangerous escape.

As a single father raising two young daughters, the pressure on him was immense. The isolation, financial strain, and emotional load of parenting alone only intensified his reliance on gambling. He told us that his behaviour changed faster than he expected; the irritability, the secrecy, the frantic need to place “just one more bet”—all of it began to take over. His daughters, still so young, sensed the turmoil even if they couldn’t understand it.

The turning point came one afternoon when his brother confronted him with honesty and concern. Fuelled by fear and shame, he reacted with a burst of anger, smashing his phone in front of his children. The moment it shattered, so did he. He saw the fear in their eyes—fear that reminded him of his own childhood. In that instant, he knew something had to change. He could no longer allow addiction to shape the home his daughters were growing up in.

That night, he reached out to Lifeline. The next day he saw a counsellor.

Two years later, he is proud to say he has not placed a single bet. The journey hasn’t been easy, but it has been transformative. His daughters are receiving care and guidance through our youth department, giving them a safe space to express their feelings and rebuild trust. He meets regularly with our parenting coaches, not only to repair relationships but to learn tools that were never modelled for him when he was young.

Their home today looks very different. The explosive anger is gone. The tension that once filled the air has been replaced with consistency, communication, and growing confidence. His daughters are learning what safety feels like. And he is learning what it means to parent from a place of stability rather than fear.

Recovery is never a straight path, but stories like his remind us why Lifeline exists: to support individuals and families as they reclaim hope, rebuild connection, and break cycles that once felt unbreakable.

If you or someone you love is struggling, please know—you do not have to face it alone. We are here to help.