Wife Has Gambling Problem
Even if your partner doesn’t gamble every day or can afford to lose money, he or she might have a gambling addiction. Gambling addiction is often characterized by: Feeling the need to be secretive about gambling; Gambling when there isn’t enough money to spare; Having trouble controlling gambling; Why Gamblers Don’t Make Good Partners Often, spouses and children pay the price for one person’s gambling habit. The first thing you need to do, then, is take an honest look at yourself. Make sure that you’re not being fooled. A gambler’s spouse can sometimes remain in a state of denial for years until some dramatic event suddenly jerks her back to reality. You don’t want to let things slip that far. A spouse who has a problem with gambling may be addicted to the thrill he gets from betting on sports, playing poker, buying lottery tickets or hitting the slot machines. This addiction can lead to marital, financial and career problems. Unlike drug or alcohol addiction, a gambling addiction has no clear physical symptoms, according to HelpGuide.org.
- Wife Has Gambling Problem And Needs Money
- I Think My Wife Has A Gambling Problem
- Wife Has Gambling Problem
Dear Sara,
I don’t know what to do. My wife gambles. She has access to bookies and casinos and whenever she has access to money she blows it on whatever game strikes her fancy. I learned that I can’t give her free access to the checking account as it will be down to nothing very soon. She says she needs money for groceries or clothes for the kids but at least some of will be spent gambling. I know that there are places to go for help but she refuses. The kids love her and I still care about her but if I’m not careful she will put us in debt over our heads. What can I do to make her stop gambling?
-Conrad
Dear Conrad,
I doubt that anything you can do can stop this addiction. Your wife has to be willing to get help and this is up to her. It sounds like this is taking over your life and the life of your family.
Sometimes when someone has an addiction you have to be really strong. You might give her an ultimatum. Let her know that you can’t live with the threat of going bankrupt all of the time and that if she won’t get help for her addiction you will leave and take the kids. You say that the kids love her and I’m sure she loves them. She will have a choice to make and you will know what is most important to her. Her family or her gambling.
Good luck.
-Sara
Pathological gambling can destroy marriages – and if your soon-to-be ex has a gambling addiction, you know it can be extremely difficult to deal with.
Wife Has Gambling Problem And Needs Money
When you’re divorcing someone with a gambling problem, you face big challenges. You may even wonder whether your partner really has a gambling addiction or is just reckless and irresponsible.
Signs of a Gambling Addiction
There are many misconceptions about what makes someone a pathological gambler. Even if your partner doesn’t gamble every day or can afford to lose money, he or she might have a gambling addiction.
Gambling addiction is often characterized by:
- Feeling the need to be secretive about gambling
- Gambling when there isn’t enough money to spare
- Having trouble controlling gambling
Why Gamblers Don’t Make Good Partners
Often, spouses and children pay the price for one person’s gambling habit. Bills may go unpaid, budgets may need to be stretched, and sometimes gambling even leads to the loss of a job.
It sounds like a typical cliché, but gamblers have to want to get help – you’re not going to be able to help your spouse quit gambling unless he or she realizes that it’s a problem and is willing to seek treatment for it. Even then, your partner has to stick with the treatment program and, in most cases, avoid gambling altogether.
What to Do if You Want to Divorce a Gambler
Talking to a Durham divorce lawyer should be your first step if you’re thinking about divorcing someone with a gambling problem. While well-intentioned friends and family are usually full of great advice, they may not understand the intricacies of North Carolina law.
I Think My Wife Has A Gambling Problem
Your attorney will be able to explain how alimony may be calculated and how your marital property (or debt) will be divided. He or she will also answer all of your questions about the divorce process based on your unique situation.