Hi Jazmyn
Without treatment a gambling addiction will get worse which suggests to me that your husband is unlikely ever to get out of debt unless he seeks support. I hope that the friends and relatives who have enabled him in the past are now refusing to do so.
It is difficult within a marriage for a spouse to refuse to enable when she is looking after her children financially and clearing the bills to maintain a home for them.
I will never suggest that you leave or stay within your marriage, that decision must always be yours but I can hear your sadness and I wish that I could offer you more hope.
I feel for you feeling so alone and I hope you may get some comfort from knowing that there is somebody here listening to you and understanding what you are going though. Why have you not confided in your family? I know how difficult it can be to get support from family and friends who have not lived with the addiction to gamble but it seems to me that you could really do with on the ground support. Neither you, nor your husband asked for or wanted his addiction; there should be no shame in admitting that this terrible situation exists for you, you are not to blame.
Maybe you could inform your husband that you have sought support for yourself because you are taking his gambling seriously and it is damaging your well-being and the well-being of his children.
Is your husband’s behaviour distressing your children? Do you have a good relationship with his family? Can you talk to any of his family about how you feel?
I am going to leave my first reply there because I want to get this posted so that you can know you have been heard.
I will walk with you for as long as you want me to do so Jazmyn. I really do understand.
Velvet
