Hi has anyone had experience of living with a gambling addict that can help me??

Question

Hi i suspect my husband has an addiction to gambling well not betting or anything but going on the slot machines you can see my earlier question for full details I was wondering what the chances are of him ever changing, he is refusing to admit he has any sort of problem and is lying about borrowing money etc, if i can just get him to admit and seek help, am I wasting my time?? should i just cut my losses and run now?? I love him and he keeps saying things will change but he doesn't he just lies better and covers his tracks better.

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

I have had problems with gambling to excess here is what has worked for me.

1) Never go on a casino with more money than you can afford to lose.

2) Leave the checkbook, ATM card, credit cards at home.

3) Pay your bills soon after getting your money, this lessens temptation.

4) Never, and I mean never, gamble alone if you have a problem, without someone to tell you enough is enough you can leave hours later and hundreds poorer.

5) Find other interests

6) Look for other outlets for gambling, if you search "super times pay" online you can find a link to video poker that looks and sounds just like the casino, only difference is when you you lose you still have your money.

All of this is of course dependant on wanting to change

Answer 2

your previous question is not available but you have said enough.

The ONLY way to deal with compulsive gambling is for the gambler to STOP ALL FORMS OF GAMBLING FOREVER - that would include doing the lottery, bingo even a raffle at the local school fete.

To be able to stop the gambler must want to stop. Help is available from gamblers anonymous. There is also help and support for family and friends at gam anon.

Often to REALLY want to stop, the gambler has to have reached rock bottom - this is usually when their access to funds has completely dried up and they have huge debts.

It is possible to stop but it will be a life long challenge that they will have to meet one day at a time for the rest of their lives - which sounds daunting but it can be done.

Go to a gam anon meeting to work out what to do next. I hope it works out for you.

Answer 3

wow, sorry to hear about this

with any addiction the person has to want to change or else they never will

best to get some advice from an addict hot line & see if they can tell you how to deal w/ it

when my Dad use to drink my Mom told him either stop drinking or I'm leaving , that's the only thing that made him stop ( not that you should do that, but sometimes that's what it

takes )

good luck

Answer 4

Shala:

Sorry to hear about your problem. If you can just get him to stop for one week or a few days, it may make a difference. I am 38 yrs old and have been wagering on sports ever since I was 21.  I am not rich nor poor and tend to go back and forth.  How long has he had this problem?  If you can make some sort of deal with him to make him stop for a few days, I would suggest that.  Sounds like yal live in a place that allows wagering/gaming?  If so, have you considered relocating?

Reason I suggest trying to make him stop for a few days, is because I have not made a wager since the Spurs-Lakers last playoff game.  I had a couple of hundred dollars on the total score going over,  and they ended up being 1 point shy of the over/under.  With a few seconds left, they just ran out the clock and didn't make an effort to try and score.

That is when I realized it is time for a break and haven't made a wager since.  If all else fails, maybe try to contact that site they provide on that series "Intervention".

Hope this helps.