My husband and I have been married for almost 6 years, but we've been together
since the 9th grade. We're only 26 and 25 years old, respectively. I love him
dearly, but he's a compulsive gambler. When he has no access to the nearest
casino (e.g. usually no money), he scratches instant lottery tickets. The
tickets are an almost daily occurrence. I find them hidden everywhere. I can't
even remember a time that this hasn't been a problem. He is fully aware and
admits to being a compulsive gambler and to the fact that it is ruining his
life. He recently initiated treatment for himself, and I'm holding my breath to
see if it helps at all. Intellectually, I know that this is his problem, and I
have no control over it. Emotionally, though, I'm a wreck. I don't want to leave
him, and I can't financially afford to leave him either (at least right now). I
guess my biggest question is whether or not divorce is inevitable in situations
in which one spouse is a compulsive gambler. Do any couples in this situation
stay together?