Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to solve their common problem and help others recover from a gambling disorder. It is an anonymous (first names only) support group that follows a 12-step program similar to Alcoholics Anonymous.
The only requirement for membership in Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is a desire to stop gambling. There are no dues or fees, because GA is self-supported through contributions and donations. 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. GA's only purpose is to help compulsive gamblers stop gambling.
GA meetings typically follow a 12-step program, similar to other anonymous fellowships. During the meeting, participants have the opportunity to share their experiences, struggles with gambling, and successes in quitting. They can also listen to others' stories and gain insights and advice from those who have successfully overcome their addiction. The meetings provide a safe and non-judgmental environment for individuals to discuss their challenges and receive support from others who understand their struggles first-hand because they've lived them, too. Please note that each meeting may have its own format and structure, so it's best to attend a meeting to get a firsthand experience of what happens. If one meeting doesn't fit your needs, you can always try another one in your local community.
GA has some basic ground rules - generally called "traditions."
Every GA group respects the Twelve Traditions of Gamblers Anonymous, which are as follows:
- Our common welfare should come first, personal recovery depends upon GA unity.
- Our leaders are but trusted servants, they do not govern.
- The only requirements for GA membership is a desire to stop gambling.
- Each group shall be self-governing except in matters affecting other groups or GA as a whole.
- GA has but one primary purpose - to carry the message to the compulsive gambler who still suffers.
- GA should never endorse, finance, or lend the GA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
- Every GA group ought to be self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
- GA should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
- GA as such ought never to be organized, but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
- GA has no opinion on outside issues, hence the GA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
- Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion, we must always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, films and television.
- Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of the GA program, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
GA members often bring structure to their self-help work through a 12-step process of recovery.
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. - From Gamblers Anonymous
Here are the 12 steps of Gamblers Anonymous:
1. We admitted we were powerless over gambling - that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to a normal way of thinking and living.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of this Power of our own understanding.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral and financial inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have these defects of character removed.
7. Humbly asked God (of our understanding) to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Make direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
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.
12. Having made an effort to practice these principles in all our affairs, we tried to carry this message to other compulsive gamblers.
GA participants often "work" these steps repeatedly with a trusted sponsor as part of their recovery, embracing the journey rather than the final destination. To find a GA meeting in your community, you can start by visiting their official website at www.gamblersanonymous.org. On the website, you will find a "Find a Meeting" section where you can search for meetings in your area. You can enter your location, and it will provide you with a list of meetings help each week nearby.
If you prefer online Gamblers Anonymous meetings, GA also offers virtual meetings through various platforms. On their website, you can find a list of online meetings along with the necessary information to join them. These online meetings provide a convenient option for those who cannot attend physical meetings or prefer the anonymity of online support.
For folks who rather use the phone, there are phone meetings as well.
Attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings can be a great way to connect with others who understand your struggles and provide support on your journey to recovery.
The Gamblers Anonymous book is a great resource for information before going to a meeting or as a selfhelp guide as you think about what to do next. This book on working the 12 steps to address a gambling problem can also be helpful as well.
The BetBreak workbook and self-study guide can be used in combination with your 12 Step work as part of a comprehensive plan to quit or cutback on your gambling and sports betting.
The Gamblers Anonymous hotline can be reached at 855-222-5542.
