How can you get your 31yo boyfriend to stop gambling?

Answer 1

The simple answer is that you can't get anyone to free themselves from an addiction. Only he can change his behavior. And, to accomplish this, he must be really motivated to do so.

I do believe that Bethanyarcher's answer is helpful. However, I disagree that gambling is an illness. Many people gamble as a form of entertainment. Some people do it for a living.

If your boyfriend has an uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite serious consequences, he may have an impulse-control disorder. Compulsive behavior like any bad habit can be changed. Maybe he would benefit from talking to a therapist. Maybe he can just actively choose to change his behavior. What you can do is hold him accountable for his behavior and don't enable him if he is making bad choices.

With all due respect, all The Bible references are distracting and would be more appropriate to answer a theology question. Thankfully, we don't need faith for this stuff to make sense.

-Nullan

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The following is the original answer posted by Bethanyarcher....

unfortunately gambling is an illness, my stepdad gambled for 20 odd yrs thousands of pounds, it caused endless problems in our household, and only when my mother had finally had enough did she leave.

it's the buzz, excitement, sweating hands etc...

you need to find a gamblers annoymous group for more advice and your boyfriend has to accept he has a problem. otherwise your fighting a losing battle.

ANSWER:

With its focus on easy wealth, gambling nurtures a love of money-something that the Bible identifies as "a root of all sorts of injurious things." The desire for money can easily become an overpowering influence in a person's life, leading to intense anxiety and damaging one's faith in God. Figuratively speaking, the Bible describes those ensnared by the love of money as having "stabbed themselves all over with many pains."-1 Timothy 6:10.Gambling is based on an inherently selfish goal: winning money that other players have lost. When a gambler sets his heart on winning, he is, in essence, hoping that others will lose their money in order for him to profit. Greediness breeds discontent, leaving people unsatisfied with their financial status and robbing them of their happiness. "A lover of silver will never be satisfied with silver, nor a lover of wealth with income."-Ecclesiastes 5:10.

Millions lured into gambling have found themselves ensnared by a vicious gamblingaddiction. The problem is widespread, with millions of gambling addicts in the United States alone, according to estimates. One proverb states: "An inheritance obtained first by greed will not be a blessing in the end." (Proverbs 20:21) Problem gambling has plunged addicts into debt or even bankruptcy and has cost many of them jobs, marriages, and friendships. Applying the Bible's guiding principles can help a person avoid the negative effects that gambling can have on life and happiness.

Answer 2

You can try having an open and honest conversation with your boyfriend about the negative impact gambling has on his life and your relationship. Encourage him to seek help from a therapist or support group specialized in gambling addiction. Setting boundaries and seeking support for yourself can also be beneficial.