Gamblers Anonymous
From Drug Rehab Wiki
Gamblers Anonymous was started in California in 1957. Two men developed a beneficial friendship by discovering they were able to curtail their obsessive gambling by spending time together supporting each other and sharing their experiences as to how gambling had adversely affected their lives. They realized through mutual support that they needed to change certain aspects of their character. They also discovered that they could abstain from gambling if they followed the guidelines that other addiction support groups followed.
This partnership of support has led to over 1000 chapters of Gamblers Anonymous in the United States, with additional chapters across the world. The only requirement to join a Gamblers Anonymous chapter is the desire to quit gambling. Modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, the support group aims to support those who have admitted to themselves that their gambling is a compulsion over which they have no control. Those who seek the help of GA realize gambling has caused problems in their daily lives and they will never get better or stop without help. Once gambling-addicted individuals make this admission to themselves, Gamblers Anonymous will benefit them and help them regain control.
There are no fees or dues, just as with AA. Also, if the recovering gambler engages in gambling again, he or she will undoubtedly spiral back into the pattern that led to Gamblers Anonymous to begin with. Complete abstinence from any kind of gambling activity is a necessary part of getting the most out of Gamblers Anonymous. Just as an alcoholic can’t have just one drink, a gambler can’t place just one bet. As with other effective addiction support groups, admission of loss of control and a willingness to allow a higher power to reinforce one’s desire to abstain from gambling is essential to the program. With gamblers Anonymous, there are no shortcuts to recovery. The keys to recovery revolve around the concepts of open-mindedness, willingness, and honesty. Gamblers Anonymous follows the precise twelve step program that has helped those affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous and other addiction groups.
Just as with other types of addiction, it can take a significant amount of time before someone realizes he truly has a problem and literally can’t help himself or stop on his own. With gambling, an addict may reach a point of financial destitution and may have lost his family, friends and job due to his compulsion to gamble. Gamblers Anonymous has outlined a few characteristics of compulsive gamblers. Emotional insecurity and immaturity are both common traits amongst gambling addicts. The inability to accept reality as well as having an inner craving for power are also common traits of compulsive gamblers. There is also a theory that purports those who are gambling addicts subconsciously want to punish themselves and lose everything. Those who become gambling addicts are more likely to be men than women. They are also more likely than most people to exhibit severe mood swings. They typically abuse alcohol or drugs, are impatient, lie frequently, and despite how much they win or lose, they continue to gamble.
An addiction to gambling is a serious thing. It can ruin lives and devastate families. Gamblers Anonymous, much like AA, has helped many people find the support they need to deal with their addiction. It may not be the perfect fit for everyone, but for someone whose life is quickly spiraling downward due to gambling, it is certainly worth considering.
The divorce rate amongst gambling addicts is roughly double the general population also. With a gambling addiction comes a disregard for personal relationships and often depression. Because a gambling addiction affects most aspects of the addict’s life, Gamblers Anonymous encourages sharing of experiences and struggles within the group, as well as personal support through a sponsor.
This particular group has helped countless individuals and families regain control over their lives and stay free from the grips of the compulsion to gamble. Staying affiliated with Gamblers Anonymous and helping others who have a gambling problem is a major factor in the continued state of recovery for those who have had the courage to take the first step of going to a meeting and reaching out to others who have walked in their shoes.
