I am 31 years old and the daughter of a compulsive gambler. My mother has now
become MY daughter. She came to live with me after a failed relationship. She
moved out on her own and was finally starting a new life, but then catastrophy
hit. She lost everything she owned in Hurricane Katrina and had to move back in
with me has lived with me since then.

She doesn't want to work, move back out on her own, or any other things you
would expect a grown woman should do. She justifies her gambling by using
tramatic experiences in her life. She is an extremely negative person and
brings me to a very depressed state just by being around her. She constantly
complains and never seems to be satisfied or happy about anything.

She is an R.N. who makes more money than I do, but she never has any money. She
has no bills to pay but still borrows money from me after losing her entire
paycheck at the casino. I'm becoming resentful and overwhelmed. I have no idea
how to help her as conventional methods seem they do not apply. Se is not one
to open up to strangers about her personal life so groups or therapy is not
really an option. Even if she did go, she wouldn't benefit much because she
won't talk to anyone.

There's obviously so much more to the story, but hopefully this is enough to
explain my situation at the moment.

If anyone has any kind words or suggestions for me, I would greatly appreciate
you taking the time to reply to this posting.

Kristie