Living with a gambling addict
Hi,
I'm currently involved with someone who is a gambling addict, although he would not in any way describe his behavior or addiction as such. It's been a problem, a serious problem, for over a year now and it is completely and utterly ruining our relationship and our home life. It seems that we're always fighting about it and arguing about his "need" to play poker or, if he's not playing than I am dealing with his negativity, rude behavior and aggressiveness because he feels he "can't do what he wants with his spare time". In today's day and age, where poker (his means of gambling) is becoming more and more mainstream and apparently socially acceptable - to the point where billboards for online gambling sites seem to be popping up on ever block, it seems like I'm winning a losing battle in terms of attempting to see that it is a problem. A problem because 1) it is seriously effecting our relationship - a relationship he says he wants to be in and says he wants to stay in 2) effecting his career (he'd rather blow off work to play online or not look for jobs) 3) effecting his school - he hasn't even finished his thesis - which was due almost two years ago but he can spend 12 hours straight playing poker online. I feel that I'm at the end of my ropes. Although we are in couples counseling - there are often other issues which are brought up and honestly, I just feel like I need some separate personal advice on how to deal with the problem - or suggestions for any free online chat/forums that specifically deal with family members/partners who are dealing with a loved ones gambling addiction.