GA-VALLEY HOTLINE 602-266-9784 GAM-ANON HOTLINE 602-303-7876 ESPAÑOL 1-888-665-8346

Greater Phoenix AZ  Gamblers Anonymous
  • Home
  • WHAT IS GA?
  • GAMBLING PROBLEM?
  • RECOVERY PROGRAM
  • MEETINGS
    • valley-wide meetings
    • AZ State-Wide Meetings
    • New Mexico Meeting List
    • GA En Español
  • B-Day's & Events
  • Intergroup
  • More
    • Home
    • WHAT IS GA?
    • GAMBLING PROBLEM?
    • RECOVERY PROGRAM
    • MEETINGS
      • valley-wide meetings
      • AZ State-Wide Meetings
      • New Mexico Meeting List
      • GA En Español
    • B-Day's & Events
    • Intergroup
Greater Phoenix AZ  Gamblers Anonymous
  • Home
  • WHAT IS GA?
  • GAMBLING PROBLEM?
  • RECOVERY PROGRAM
  • MEETINGS
    • valley-wide meetings
    • AZ State-Wide Meetings
    • New Mexico Meeting List
    • GA En Español
  • B-Day's & Events
  • Intergroup

WHAT IS GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS?

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS  is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem.  The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop gambling. There are no dues or fees for Gamblers Anonymous membership. We are self-supporting through our own contributions.

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any cause. 

OUR PRIMARY PURPOSE is to stop gambling and to help other compulsive gamblers do the same. Most of us have been unwilling to admit we were real problem gamblers. No one likes to think they are different from their fellows.  Therefore, it is not surprising that our gambling careers have been characterized by countless vain attempts to prove we could gamble like other people.
The idea that somehow, some day, we will control our gambling is the great obsession of every compulsive gambler. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing. Many pursue it into the gates of prison, insanity or death.

THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE A GAMBLING PROBLEM?

Get to a meeting

Taking the first step to come to your first meeting is something that most problem gamblers would like to avoid.  Your efforts, feelings, and thoughts will be respected.  We do not place shame or guilt on anyone, so don't be surprised when you receive friendship and a handshake.  Your choice to attend your first meeting will help renew your self-respect. 

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH GAMBLING - JUST GET HERE -  GET TO THE VERY NEXT MEETING!!!!!  

Find out more

Do you think you might have a gambling problem?

ANSWER "HONESTLY" THE GA 20 QUESTIONS:

  • 1.   Do you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling? 
  • 2.   Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy? 
  • 3.   Does gambling affect your reputation? 
  • 4.   Have you ever felt remorse after gambling? 
  • 5.   Have you ever gambled to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties? 
  • 6.   Does gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency? 
  • 7.   After losing do you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses? 
  • 8.   After a win do you have a strong urge to return and win more? 
  • 9.   Have you ever gambled until your last dollar was gone? 
  • 10. Have you ever borrowed to finance your gambling? 
  • 11. Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling? 
  • 12. Are you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures? 
  • 13. Has gambling made you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family? 
  • 14. Have you ever gambled longer than you had planned? 
  • 15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble? 
  • 16. Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling? 
  • 17. Does gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping? 
  • 18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble? 
  • 19. Have you ever had an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling? 
  • 20. Have you ever considered self destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling? 

    Most compulsive gamblers will answer yes to at least seven of these questions.


**The above questions are written in present tense for a reason.
If you are now having, or have had issues with compulsive gambling and it is causing or has caused problems in any department of your life we suggest you get to a meeting as soon as possible.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR VALLEY AND STATE WIDE MEETING LISTS.


THE 12 STEPS OF GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS

THE GA - 12 STEPS TO RECOVERY:

Step 1.   We admitted we were powerless over gambling - that our lives had become unmanageable.

Step 2.   Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to a normal way of thinking and living.

Step 3.   Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of this Power of our own understanding.

Step 4.   Made a searching and fearless moral and financial inventory of ourselves.

Step 5.   Admitted to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

Step 6.   Were entirely ready to have these defects of character removed.

Step 7.   Humbly asked God (of our understanding) to remove our shortcomings.

Step 8.   Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.

Step 9.   Make direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Step 10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.

Step 11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

Step 12. Having made an effort to practice these principles in all our affairs, we tried to carry this message to other compulsive gamblers.


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​HOW MEETINGS ARE CONDUCTED IN THE PHOENIX AREA?

  •  First time members should arrive fifteen minutes early to let the room secretary know this is your first meeting and to get some orientation on how meetings are conducted.
    You will be given a packet of information at that time.  Plan on staying for the duration of the meeting. You will make new friend who will offer their encouragement and support.
  • GA members come from all walks of life.  The most common are working professionals and the working class.  Groups average a mix of 50% women and 50% men.  (There are Women only & Men's only meetings too!).  Ages range from the 20's to the very mature.
  • All meetings are strictly conducted in a non-threatening/productive manner. They are structured to give everyone an opportunity to share.  You are encouraged to do so, but you are never forced to participate.   In the Phoenix Valley meetings average about 20 members. 

  • GA VALLEY HOTLINE  602-266-9784
  • GAM-ANON HOTLINE  602-303-7876 - INFORMATION FOR CONCERNED FAMILY MEMBERS AND LOVED ONES OF COMPULSIVE GAMBLERS  

To learn more about GA, visit the National Web site

http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/content/about-us

To learn more about GAM-ANON, visit the National Web site  https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/content/gam-anon-help-family-friends 


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TYPES OF MEETINGS INCLUDE:

  • TOPIC/THERAPY:  A focus topic related to gambling recovery is selected each week.  Individuals  who raise their hands are called upon to share on the topic with their recent experiences.
  • THERAPY/COMMENT:  A specific topic is chosen at each meeting and discuss how it relates to your recovery.
  • THERAPY:  No selected topic, you can talk about anything related to gambling recovery.
  • OPEN DISCUSSION:  You can talk about what ever is on your mind relating to gambling

THIS IS AN ANONYMOUS PROGRAM:  Who you see, hear, and witness at these meetings are for the participating meeting members only.   NEVER shall anyone share any part of personal therapy or comments with any outside parties. We respect all members privacy and confidentiality.
PLEASE NOTE:  We do not talk about criminal behaviors for which you could be prosecuted, or if you have a case pending.

Spouses, friends, family members may observe "OPEN" meetings only and must respect our anonymity.  We encourage their support, but they do not participate during meetings 

Contact Gam-Anon: 602-303-7876, specifically for their benefit.

Meetings do meet on the holidays unless announced - so plan on being there.

Unless noted by a closing time, many meetings may continue for two hours, sometimes longer. Make note of this if you do not have your own transportation. 

This organization does not borrow, lend, or give any money to any individuals, organizations or financial institutions.  "Borrowing money is detrimental to our recovery", do not ask for financial assistance.   There are agencies that can provide you with direction to solving your financial crisis and we can suggest ways to do that.

For those without ANY opportunity for transportation, arrangements can often be made in advance.  Call the helpline in your area for information, listed at the top of this page. 

To learn more about the GA twelve step program and gambling recovery,
take this link to the National Website  https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/

GAMANON is a separate organization.   They often meet at the same locations but in separate rooms apart from the "GA" meetings.  Their meetings may change from time to time so it is a good idea to call ahead to confirm a meeting and its location.

To learn more about GAM-ANON, visit the National Web site  http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/content/gam-anon-help-family-friends  

GET TO A MEETING!!!!

Taking the first step to come to your first meeting is something that most problem gamblers would like to avoid.  

Your efforts, feelings, and thoughts will be respected.  

We do not place shame or guilt on anyone, so don't be surprised when you receive friendship and a handshake.  

Your choice to attend your first meeting will help renew your self-respect. 

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH GAMBLING - JUST GET HERE -  GET TO THE VERY NEXT MEETING!!!!! 

  • GA VALLEY HOTLINE  602-266-9784
  • GAM-ANON HOTLINE  602-303-7876 - INFORMATION FOR CONCERNED FAMILY MEMBERS AND LOVED ONES OF COMPULSIVE GAMBLERS  

To learn more about GA, visit the National Web site  https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/


To learn more about GAM-ANON, visit the National Web site  http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/content/gam-anon-help-family-friends 


GA HOTLINE

  • GA VALLEY HOTLINE  602-266-9784
  • GAM-ANON HOTLINE 602-303-7876 - INFORMATION FOR CONCERNED FAMILY MEMBERS AND LOVED ONES OF COMPULSIVE GAMBLERS   

To learn more about GA, visit the National Web site

https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/

learn more about GAM-ANON, visit the National Web site http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/content/gam-anon-help-family-friends  


Get to a meeting

Taking the first step to come to your first meeting is something that most problem gamblers would like to avoid.  Your efforts, feelings, and thoughts will be respected.  We do not place shame or guilt on anyone, so don't be surprised when you receive friendship and a handshake.  Your choice to attend your first meeting will help renew your self-respect. 

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH GAMBLING - JUST GET HERE -  GET TO THE VERY NEXT MEETING!!!!!  

Find out more
  • Home
  • WHAT IS GA?
  • GAMBLING PROBLEM?
  • RECOVERY PROGRAM
  • valley-wide meetings
  • AZ State-Wide Meetings
  • New Mexico Meeting List
  • GA En Español
  • B-Day's & Events
  • Intergroup