Questions and Answers…
About the problem of Compulsive Gambling and the G.A. Recovery Program
Who can join Gamblers Anonymous?
Anyone who has a desire to stop gambling. There are no dues or fees regarding Gamblers Anonymous membership. We are self-supporting through our own contributions.
Do I have an addiction? What is compulsive gambling?
Compulsive gambling is an illness, progressive in its nature, which can never be cured, but can be arrested. The Gamblers Anonymous concept is that compulsive gamblers are often very sick people who can recover if they will follow, to the best of their ability, a simple program that has proved successful for thousands of men and women with a gambling or compulsive gambling problem.
WE WELCOME YOU TO TAKE THE BRIEF, 20 QUESTION SELF-SURVEY ON THIS PAGE AND BRING YOUR RESULTS TO YOUR FIRST MEETING.
What is the first thing a compulsive gambler has to do in order to stop gambling?
The compulsive gambler needs to be willing to accept the fact that he or she is in the grip of a progressive illness and has a desire to get well. Our experience has shown that the Gamblers Anonymous program will always work for any person who has a desire to stop gambling. However, it will never work for the person who will not face squarely the facts about this illness.
How can you tell whether you are a compulsive gambler?
Only you can make that decision. Most people turn to Gamblers Anonymous when they become willing to admit that gambling has defeated them. Many Gamblers Anonymous members went through troubling and often terrifying experiences before they were ready to accept help. Others were faced with a slow, subtle deterioration which finally brought them to the point of admitting defeat.
Can a compulsive gambler ever gamble normally again?
No. The first bet to a compulsive gambler is like the first drink to an alcoholic. Sooner or later he or she falls back into the same old destructive pattern. Our Gamblers Anonymous experience seems to point to these choices: to gamble, risking progressive deterioration or not to gamble, and develop a better way of life.
Why can’t a compulsive gambler simply use will power to stop gambling?
Because relying on willpower for the gambling addict just doesn’t work. If we are honest, we will recognize our lack of power to solve certain problems. When it comes to gambling, we have known many compulsive gamblers who could abstain for long stretches but caught off guard and under the right (or wrong) set of circumstances, we started gambling without thought of the consequences. Most of us feel that adherence to spiritual principals and/or a belief in a Power greater than ourselves is necessary for us to sustain gambling cessation.
Do Gamblers Anonymous members go into gambling places to help former members who are gambling?
No. Families and friends of these folks have asked us to intercede, but doing so does not work. Additionally, it goes against program principles for our members to enter gambling establishments. In the past, we actually felt we held back a member’s eventual recovery by giving them unsolicited attention. It all goes back to the basic principle that a gambler needs to want help in order to stop gambling.
I only go on gambling binges periodically. Do I need Gamblers Anonymous?
Yes. Members of Gamblers Anonymous tell us that, though their binges were periodic, the intervals between were not periods of constructive thinking. Symptomatic of these periods were nervousness, irritability, frustration, indecision and a continued breakdown in personal relationships.
What is the definition of Gambling?
GAMBLING, for the compulsive gambler is defined as follows: Any betting or wagering, for self or others, whether for money or not, no matter how slight or insignificant, where the outcome is uncertain or depends upon chance or ‘skill’ constitutes gambling.
If I join Gamblers Anonymous won’t everyone know I am a compulsive gambler?
Most people made quite a name for themselves as full-fledged gambling addicts. Their gambling was not usually a well-kept secret. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of the Gamblers Anonymous program. Therefore, no disclosure of any affiliation with Gamblers Anonymous can rightfully be made by anyone but the member themselves.
How does someone stop gambling through the Gamblers Anonymous program?
One does this through bringing about a progressive character change within oneself. This can be accomplished by having faith in — and following — the basic concepts of the Gamblers Anonymous Recovery and Unity Programs. There are no short cuts in gaining this achievement.
Can a person recover by himself/herself by reading Gamblers Anonymous literature or medical books on the problem of compulsive gambling?
This may be possible, but it is definitely not likely. Working with others in the Gamblers Anonymous program is necessary for recovery and support. Members share experiences and hope, and present problems in groups (meetings), where they feel comfortable and accepted, rather than feeling isolated and alone.
Is knowing why we gambled important?
Perhaps, however insofar as stopping gambling, many Gamblers Anonymous members have abstained from gambling without the knowledge of why they gambled.
What are some characteristics of a person who is a compulsive gambler?
INABILITY AND UNWILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT REALITY.
Hence the escape into the dream world of gambling.
EMOTIONAL INSECURITY.
A compulsive gambler finds he or she is emotionally comfortable only when “in action”.
IMMATURITY.
A desire to have all the good things in life without any great effort on their part seems the common character pattern of problem gamblers. Also, a compulsive gambler seems to have a strong inner urge to be a ‘big shot’ and needs to have a feeling of being all powerful. The compulsive gambler is willing to do anything (often of an antisocial nature) to maintain the image he or she wants others to see.
Then too, there is a theory that compulsive gamblers subconsciously want to lose to punish themselves. There is much evidence to support this theory.
What is the dream world of the compulsive gambler?
This is another common characteristic of compulsive gamblers. A lot of time is spent dreaming of the great and wonderful things they are going to do as soon as they make the big win. Pathetically, however, there never seems to be a big enough win to make even the smallest dream come true. As gamblers fail, they gamble in reckless desperation, and their dream world comes crashing down. Sadly, they will struggle back, dream more dreams and suffer more misery.
Isn’t compulsive gambling basically a financial problem?
No, compulsive gambling is an emotional problem. A person in the grip of this illness creates mountains of insolvable problems. Of course, financial problems are created, in addition to marital, employment, and/or legal problems. Lost friends and relatives who have rejected them are frequent symptoms of a compulsive gambler. Often the financial problems seem the easiest to solve. Gamblers Anonymous members have found that the best road to financial recovery is through hard work and repayment of our debts. Bankruptcy, borrowing and/or lending of money (bailouts) in Gamblers Anonymous is detrimental to our recovery and should not take place.
What should I do next?
The first step is to come along to a local GA meeting. You will be welcomed by people who fully understand problem gambling and explain all you need to know about Gamblers Anonymous and the GA Recovery Program.
