I need help with a problem, that sounds like an understatement considering where I am sending this message. My husband has a drinking and gambling problem and I am at my withs end. I am also an alcoholic, recovering for 7 years. I need some advise on how to help him.

It's hard, no doubt... maybe the hardest thing to go through, seeing someone you love being destroyed when you know there's a way out because you're sober.
After I sobered up my dad kept drinking and getting sicker and my mom and me and others were at our wits end like you... I thought that Alanon's advice and the pages in the AA Big Book on working with others didn't apply because no one knew how I felt... It turned out many had been through the same roller coaster.
My dad is 79 and just passed one year without a drink. Miracles do happen and he stopped when he could... All I had to do was to not get dragged into the insanity and the suggestions of others helped...
You probably know about Alanon, but here's a link to their home page: http://www.al-anon.org
Real meetings with people and online rooms and like this one helped too. My mom also got a counselor at the local drug and alcohol center.

Glad you are reaching out. I agree...Al-Anon. It doesn't matter that you are an alcoholic. You are also the family member of one. I think you'll find the support you need there.

You have already reached out and i bet you felt better after you wrote in and you will feel better after u read all the responses from the people who took time to read your posting... God is there and his will, will be done.. I will say a prayer for you and your family... Keep checking in

Howdy, I certainly can relate to you about your husband, and I commend you for your sobriety. You want to know how you can help your husband, Youv'e probably heard this before, but YOU can't help him until he wants to help himself. I've tried to change my husband for years now and it doesn't work. We have been married nearly 11 yrs, he has been an alcoholic since probably his early 20's (He's 45 now) and I had my years of drinking way too much also, but getting older made me basically quit drinking because it took too long to get over the hangover, I would much rather numb my life with pills or pot. And I have to admit it's been a problem from time to time. Other than the drinking, are you happy with your husband, How is your life, do you work outside the home. Is he or you abusive to youself or to each other??? I hope you don't think I'm getting nosey, But maybe if I knew a little more about you we could talk, You just let me know. That's what we are both here for, right. texasrose

I've been there and done that.
My wife was alcoholic. I am a sober alcoholic in AA.
After several years of trying everything that I could think of and almost everything people suggested, I finally got up the courage to get out of the marriage.
That was over 20 yrs ago and life has been good!
I am happily remarried and last I heard my x-wife celebrated her 5 yr AA anniversary!

That's my contribution!

"How to Confront an Alcoholic" is an article I ran across:
http://recoverytimes.com/oursponsor13.html