London Woman's Period-Linked Gambling Addiction Cost Her Thousands
A London woman has revealed how her menstrual cycle triggered a devastating gambling addiction that left her unable to afford basic necessities like food and heating. Kiki Marriott, 40, would gamble for up to 24 hours at a time, three days a week, with losses ranging from £20 to £1,000 per session.
The Hormonal Connection
Kiki discovered through rehabilitation and support groups that her gambling urges were directly linked to her menstrual cycle. "When I'm due on, I have zero patience and tolerance for life at times," said Kiki. "My emotions are so heightened that everything feels overwhelming and like I'm drowning. I just wanted escapism from it all; so I gambled."
She began tracking her feelings throughout her cycle and developed strategies to manage impulsive urges during her recovery. "I started not to feed my impulsive thoughts and feelings," she explained. "It was all my hormones and the urge soon passed."
Descent Into Addiction
Kiki, who bought her first scratch card at age 16, says she cannot remember exactly how much she spent on gambling but describes her biggest loss as her "soul." The addiction began severely impacting her daily life in 2023, leading to suicidal thoughts, isolation, and financial desperation.
She became trapped in a cycle of borrowing money from friends and even took hundreds of pounds from her ex-boyfriend to fund her gambling. Although he was upset, no legal action was taken, and Kiki worked to repay the money quickly.
The Turning Point
In December 2023, when she attempted to borrow money again, Kiki realized she needed help and contacted GamCare's helpline. "I was broken and sick of my own behavior," she recalled. She was referred to rehabilitation and has now been gamble-free for nearly two years.
"I very rarely get urges now," Kiki said. "But when I do, I know it's because I don't want to actually gamble. It's because I'm trying to avoid some type of feeling. So I'm brutally honest with myself in those moments."
Recovery and Advocacy
Now working as a peer aid mentor volunteer, Kiki says her experience has transformed her into someone who can help others facing similar struggles. "Gambling changed everything about me," she admitted. "I have to live with the decisions I made at that time. But it's made me into the person I am today."
She advocates for more conversations about how hormonal cycles can affect addictive behaviors and urges others to seek help. "Make that first step – whether it's a referral or a call," she advised. "It'll be the best decision you've ever made. 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."
Kiki's story highlights the complex relationship between hormonal fluctuations and addictive behaviors, emphasizing the importance of specialized support for women struggling with gambling addiction.
