Don’t allow your wife’s recent attempt to gamble break you, Jason! This is par for the course. It’s very early days.
Do you think admitting she has a problem will cure her? There is no instant “”cure”! No magic wand. She needs to sit with her own admission and digest it herself. Maybe, at this point you could ask her if she would like you to help her to discuss her problem with an outsider. A counsellor? GA? Gambling Therapy? GP? Priest? Pastor? This might be the time to gently mention this Site. If she resists, back off!
She is trying to gamble.
She is also trying frantically to prove to you that she can limit her gambling. Because, as I said in an earlier post, you are her greatest obstacle right now, she has to keep you on her side. Then, when things go wrong she can say “We were in this together” I see it as a bonus that she is not YET acting in total secrecy. When a CG begins doing that it is even more dangerous. Try to keep the communication lines open.
My advice to you wold be to use as few words as possible . Words mean very little to a CG.
She has crossed the Proverbial Line. There is no going back when a CG reaches this point, She cannot gamble “normally”ever again. Kissing her hobby goodbye will be difficult so she needs to ease away gradually. It needs to be HER decision not yours! I cannot emphasize that enough.
Tell her you are dis associating your self totally with any gambling trip or venture she is planning. If she insists on destroying her life, let her know you will not be her accomplice BUT as soon as she wants help to stop gambling let her know you will be there beside her 100%.
That’s the best you can do for now.
Tell her exactly what your plans are and stick to them regardless of what she does. If she sees you deviating in the slightest she will take advantage of what she will perceive as weakness.
It’s not a game of tit for tat. You are involved in a serious situation which will at times require Tough Love.
Every word I write is my opinion only. I do not know the mindset of your wife or of any other CG but there are common traits.
Don’t give up hope. Things will improve. There is a lot of help available.
