How can our marriage survive his ADDICTION?
Q
I’m not sure if my husband is right for me, but I love him too much to end things and I’m worried I might never meet anyone new. He’s got a problem with gambling, which has burnt lots of bridges with people we know because he’s borrowed money off them and not paid it back. We’ve had loan sharks at the door, and he’s had to sell his car. He’s a self-employed labourer so now he can’t drive to jobs and earn any money. He’s really kind and caring but I can’t go on like this. Do we have a future?
Cathy, 30, Portsmouth, Hampshire
A
I always say you can’t change anyone but yourself. So the only way your relationship can move forward is if your partner wants it to. I feel it’s time for an ultimatum; tell him, ‘It’s a counselling support group or we are over.’ If he chooses the support group then you have your answer, if he makes an excuse then listen to your heart. I do feel you have a future, even though you are both hiding from the problem. It is time to face it head on or it will be the end of this relationship. There are harder times coming your way but stand strong and the sun will shine once more.