People who have a gambling problem often have an impulse-control disorder, according to HelpGuide.org. About 2 million people in the United States meet the criteria to be classified as "compulsive gamblers," according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and another 4 to 6 million are considered "problem gamblers," according to MayoClinic.com. If your husband has a gambling problem, you can help him get the help he needs to stop betting and heal your relationship and financial situation--if he is ready to admit he has a problem.
Step 1
Discuss your husband's gambling habits with him and make an outline of the issues his problem causes for your relationship and family. You can list financial implications, emotional problems or problems with employment that have resulted from your husband's gambling. Speak calmly and refrain from yelling or bombarding your husband with accusatory statements.
Step 2
Ask your husband how he feels about his gambling. You cannot force anyone to get help, so it is important for your husband to admit he has a problem and wants help before you can assist him with getting over his gambling.
Step 3
Talk to your husband about you taking control of your family's finances, recommends the state of Connecticut's Problem Gambling Services. Problem gamblers should not have access to credit cards, savings accounts and other sources of quick money while they are in recovering. Asking to take over the finances can help your husband feel less tempted to bet because he will not have easy access to the money.
Step 4
Encourage your husband to seek counseling or attend a support group, such as Gamblers Anonymous, to help him address and control his addiction. Offer to attend meetings with your husband.
Step 5
Refrain from covering for your husband when he gambles. Rescuing him from trouble with his job or others might prevent him from seeking the help he needs.
Step 6
Plan fun family activities to help take your husband's mind off gambling. Suggest going for a walk together or seeing a funny movie. Excluding your husband from family activities can do more harm than good, explains the state of Connecticut's Problem Gambling Services.
Step 7
Practice ways to handle situations if your husband asks you for money to gamble. Compulsive gamblers will try to manipulate loved ones or even use threats to obtain money, explains HelpGuide.org. By practicing how to handle your husband's requests, you can minimize the chance that you will give in and give him money.
Tips and Warnings
- Consider seeking counseling or therapy for yourself as your husband fights his addiction. Problem gambling can take a large toll on spouses and having someone to talk to can help you cope with your husband's addiction and the problems it has caused. Understand that it might take a long time for your husband to overcome his gambling problem and that might still be financial and emotional problems that you will have to work with your husband to resolve once he stops gambling, according to Connecticut's Problem Gambling Services.
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-373-8255 if you are worried that your husband might try to harm himself. Problem gamblers have a high risk of suicide when they feel hopeless, cautions HelpGuide.org.
