HI Julie
How wise you are to protect your own recovery; a massive ‘well done’ to you for not risking your sobriety. The strength you have shown at this time bodes well for your future and I wish you well.
Your therapist was right, your husband does need professional help and/or the support of gamblers, who are already learning or have have already learned, successfully, to control their addiction.
I would imagine it was scary for you to hold it all together while you made him leave the house. His note implies a level of contrition but of course this is not enough. However, maybe him recognising that he has failed will help him to think more deeply about the man he is.
It is hard to be strong at times like this and I hope your husband will appreciate the strength you have shown, maybe not today or tomorrow but in the weeks and months ahead. Maybe he is afraid of the void that comes from facing an addiction that is controlling his life, maybe he is just not ready but whatever it is, you are a terrific role model for him.
I hope that your husband will get a kick in the backside because of your action but whatever your outcome Julia, I believe you have possibly done the best thing for yourself and possibly for him.
Maybe you could tell him about this site and the great support we offer gamblers, on our Helpline; in the forum entitled ‘My Journal’ and in our ‘gambler only’ groups facilitated by Charles who stood in your husband’s shoes many years ago. We have seen many success stories over the years. I know that if your husband told Charles that it is his belief that he ‘does not have a gambling problem and that if he did, he could ‘fix’ it’, the answer he received would not be the one he expected.
However whatever his outcome, your immediate future is all about you and your fur babies ( I have 2) and importantly ensuring that there is no more chemically damaged hair.
Please keep posting, this is a difficult time for you and I am more than happy to accompany you on this brave new path in your life.
Velvet