Australian adult film star Annie Knight has admitted to having a panic attack as a result of her fiancé Henry Brayshaw relapsing in his gambling addiction. She said Brayshaw has gambled over $30,000 in the past three months.
Earlier this year, Brayshaw revealed how Knight had helped him overcome his addiction, but he appears to have started gambling again soon after the interview.
Vicious Cycle of Repeated Relapses
Knight stars in the Australian reality TV show Turned On: Dirty Sexy Money. In an Instagram post promoting an upcoming episode, she revealed how Brayshaw’s addiction has affected her mental health.
“I found out that Henry has had a relapse with his gambling addiction. And over the past few months, Henry’s probably spent about $30,000 on gambling,” Knight revealed, adding that it had become an ongoing problem.
“This isn’t Henry’s first relapse. “There’s been a few since we first met. It all starts with alcohol. He’ll drink, and he’ll slip up, he’ll apologize, he’ll be very upset, I’ll feel bad for him, and then it will happen again,” she shared.
She went on to say that the cycle has led her to question her role in supporting Brayshaw and left her feeling powerless to help him.
“I’m trying to run a business, I try to be the best partner I can be, and none of it’s working. It’s like, no matter what I do, I can’t fix this situation,” she added. “And I don’t really know if I can anymore.”
Lying & Manipulation Key Components of Addiction
Last year, recovered gambling addict Noah Vineberg revealed to CasinoBeats how his addiction led him to lie to family members and compromise marriages.
“I’ve experienced first-hand how sports betting can ruin a life,” Vineberg said. “I’ve lied to family members, compromised marriages, missed mortgage payments, contemplated suicide, all because of my addiction. I’ve lost a hell of a lot more than money.”
Knight similarly said it is Brayshaw’s lying and manipulation that is hardest to deal with in his addiction.
“An addict will do anything to get the fix, and it’s hard to not feel used at times, and, I guess, look after him in that moment when, like, you know, it feels like he’s taking advantage of me,” she said candidly.
Commenters on her Instagram post predominantly urged her to cut ties with Brayshaw, detailing their own experience of dealing with addiction and the difficulties of “fixing” an addict.
Recovery Possible, Empathy is Everything, Says Vineberg
While Knight says she is struggling to continue supporting Brayshaw in the face of his continued addiction, Vineberg emphasized his role in recovery.
“My message to anyone struggling is this: empathy is everything,” Vineberg said. “The hardest things you’ll do will also be the most rewarding. The simple path will always lead to disappointment. Recovery is the greatest gift you’ll ever give yourself.”
Brayshaw Turned Corner Since Hitting Rock Bottom
In her Instagram post, Knight said she had a full-circle moment watching the clip back. The moment she describes as hitting rock bottom appears to have been filmed months ago.
In an interview with news.com.au this week, Brayshaw said he is now 100 days sober. He said Knight offered him an ultimatum, which was the catalyst to quit again.
“I needed a massive ultimatum — a life-changing moment — to finally make that decision,” Brayshaw said.
“At the end of the day, I think addiction is a way of coping with deeper issues,” Knight admitted. She has shifted away from her lifestyle as an adult film star, where she slept with 583 men in six hours last year.
