If your spouse is spending more time at the casino than with you at home, it is obviously having a negative effect on your marriage. But of course casinos are not the only culprits. State lotteries, sports betting, online poker, and horse racing can all be sucking your finances and/or your spouse’s attention away from your life together. A gambling addiction does not cause problems for just the individual with the addiction, but affects the entire household. It can have an especially crippling affect on your marriage. Now, don’t get me wrong, gambling in moderation is not necessarily a bad thing depending upon your religious beliefs. It’s just that when it becomes all-consuming that it becomes a big problem. That is the difference between a casual gambler and a gambling addict.
So, where can you turn for help if your spouse is addicted to gambling?
- Educate yourself – Learn what you as a spouse can do. You need to understand your spouse’s addiction and how to help them put a stop to it. Reading this article and others like it is a good start towards educating yourself, so keep reading. Also, check with your local library and see what information you can find there.
- Seek guidance – Talking to your pastor or clergyman is a way to find strength and support. dominoqq If religion and faith are an important part of your life, this can have a beneficial effect on the struggle you are facing.
- Find a support group – Look for a local support group in your area called Gamblers Anonymous. Gamblers Anonymous is a well-known organization for individuals with a gambling problem. Similar groups may exist in your area. I would suggest contacting your local health department for more information. In addition, local churches often offer addiction support groups, whether for gambling, alcohol, or other addictions.
- Release Your Emotions – You may find consolation in family or friends. You may also find it a benefit to have regular meetings with a therapist. Whomever you decide to confide in it’s important that it’s someone that you are extremely comfortable with. This is the time when you need to let go of your anger, your frustration, your feelings, your overwhelming emotions regarding the situation you find yourself and your spouse in.
- Get a grip on the finances – You need to be sure that the family’s assets are protected. If necessary, consult with a financial adviser. Unfortunately, this places more of a burden on you, but you have to make sure your family doesn’t go broke because of your spouse’s problem.
Throughout all of these phases try your best to get your spouse involved. Help is out there, you just need to find it and implement it. If your spouse is refusing help, it may be up to you to start the process and work on bringing them around. It may not be easy, but together you can overcome this hurdle.