How to Tell a Spouse of a Gambling Addiction

Gambling creates lots of losses, sometimes including your wife's jewelry.

You bet and lost your wife's pearl necklace then gambled away the rent. You may have a gambling problem here. But an equally enormous problem could be telling your wife what you’ve done. You can tell a spouse of a gambling addiction with a lot of courage, humility and a few simple steps.

Things You'll Need

• Honesty
• Solution

Instructions

1. Find a solution to the immediate problem. That may include dipping into savings to pay rent or even getting a second job to make up for the lost money. A gambler should not try to borrow money from well-meaning friends or relatives. That's taking the easy way out.

2. Sit your spouse down at a calm time, like after a fine meal, and say you have something to tell her.

3. Admit what you’ve done and tell her how the immediate problem can be fixed, but you still have a bigger problem overall.

4. Explain your addiction and how it consumes you and drives you to do inane things with no regard for anything else.

5. Ask for her forgiveness and support.

6. Get help. Many cities have gambling support groups or you can find a therapist to help you with this addiction.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not promise to change unless you are really going to.