The
explanation that seems most
acceptable to Gamblers
Anonymous members is
that compulsive gambling is an illness, progressive in its nature,
which can
never be cured, but can be arrested.
Before coming to Gamblers Anonymous,
many compulsive gamblers thought of themselves as morally weak, or at
times just
plain 'no good'. The Gamblers Anonymous concept is that compulsive
gamblers are
really 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
other men
and women with a gambling or compulsive gambling problem.
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.
[Top of Page]Only you can make that
decision. Most people turn to Gamblers
Anonymous when
they become willing to admit that gambling has them licked. Also in
Gamblers
Anonymous, a compulsive gambler is described as a person whose gambling
has
caused growing and continuing problems in any department of his or her
life.
Many Gamblers Anonymous members went through 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.
No.
The first bet to a problem gambler is like the first small
drink to an
alcoholic. Sooner or later he or she falls back into the same old
destructive
pattern.
Once a person has crossed the invisible line into irresponsible
uncontrolled gambling he or she never seems to regain control. After
abstaining
a few months some of our members have tried some small bet
experimentation,
always with disastrous results. The old obsession inevitably returned.
Our
Gamblers Anonymous experience seems to point to these
alternatives: to gamble,
risking progressive deterioration or not to gamble, and develop a
better way of
life.
We believe that most people, if they are honest, will recognize their lack of power to solve certain problems. When it comes to gambling, we have known many problem gamblers who could abstain for long stretches, but caught off guard and under the right set of circumstances, they started gambling without thought of the consequences. The defenses they relied upon, through will power alone, gave way before some trivial reason for placing a bet. We have found that will power and self-knowledge will not help in those mental blank spots, but adherence to spiritual principles seem to solve our problems. Most of us feel that a belief in a Power greater than ourselves is necessary in order for us to sustain a desire to refrain from gambling.
[Top of Page]No. Families and friends of these people have asked us to intercede but we have never been able to be of any real help. Actually, sometimes we felt we retarded a member's eventual recovery by giving them this unsolicited attention. It all goes back to the basic principle that a gambler ought to want help before he or she is approached by us.
[Top of Page]Yes.
Compulsive gamblers who have joined Gamblers Anonymous
tell us that,
though their gambling 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. These same people have often found the Gamblers
Anonymous program
the answer to the elimination of character defects and a guide to moral
progress
in their lives.
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.
Most people made quite a name for themselves as full-fledged gamblers by the time they turned to Gamblers Anonymous. Their gambling was not usually a well kept secret. It would then be unusual if the good news of their abstinence from gambling did not cause comment. However, no disclosure of any affiliation with Gamblers Anonymous can rightfully be made by anyone but the member themselves. Even then, it should be done in such a way that will work no hardship on the Gamblers Anonymous fellowship.
[Top of Page]We think not. Most of the world's work of any consequence is done without the benefit of monetary wagering. Many of our leaders in business, industry and professional life have attained great success without knowing one card from another or which way the horses run around the track. In the area of social relationships, the newcomer will soon find a keen appreciation of the many pleasant and stimulating activities available - far removed from anything that is remotely associated from gambling.
[Top of Page]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 Program.
There are no short cuts in gaining this faith and understanding. To
recover from one of the most baffling, insidious, compulsive addictions
will require diligent effort. HONESTY, OPENMINDEDNESS,
AND WILLINGNESS are the key words in our recovery.
Sometimes, but not usually. The Gamblers Anonymous program works best for the individual when it is recognized and accepted as a program involving other people. Working with other compulsive gamblers in a Gamblers Anonymous group the individual seems to find the necessary understanding and support. They are able to talk of their past experiences and present problems in an area where they are comfortable and accepted. Instead of feeling alone and misunderstood, they feel needed and accepted.
[Top of Page]No.
[Top of Page]Perhaps, however insofar as stopping gambling, many Gamblers Anonymous members have abstained from gambling without the knowledge of why they gambled.
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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.
[Top of Page]This is another common characteristic of compulsive gamblers. A lot of time is spent creating images of the great and wonderful things they are going to do as soon as they make the big win. They often see themselves as quite philanthropic and charming people. They may dream of providing families and friends with new cars, mink coats, and other luxuries. Compulsive gamblers picture themselves leading a pleasant gracious life, made possible by the huge sums of money they will accrue from their 'system'. Servants, penthouses, nice clothes, charming friends, yachts, and world tours are a few of the wonderful things that are just around the corner after a big win is finally made.
Pathetically, however, there never seems to be a big enough winning to make even the smallest dream come true. When compulsive gamblers succeed, they gamble to dream still greater dreams. When failing, they gamble in reckless desperation and the depths of their misery are fathomless as their dream world comes crashing down. Sadly, they will struggle back, dream more dreams, and of course suffer more misery. No one can convince them that their great schemes will not someday come true. They believe they will, for without this dream world, life for them would not be tolerable.
[Top of Page]No, compulsive gambling is an emotional problem. A person in the grip of this illness creates mountains of apparently insolvable problems. Of course, financial problems are created, but they also find themselves facing marital, employment, or legal problems. Compulsive gamblers find friends have been lost and relatives have rejected them. Of the many serious difficulties created, the financial problems seem the easiest to solve. When a compulsive gambler enters Gamblers Anonymous and quits gambling, income is usually increased and there is no longer the financial drain that was caused by gambling, and very shortly, the financial pressures begin to be relieved. Gamblers Anonymous members have found that the best road to financial recovery is through hard work and repayment of our debts. Borrowing and/or lending of money (bail outs) in Gamblers Anonymous is detrimental to our recovery and should not take place.
The most difficult and time consuming problem with which they will be faced is that of bringing about a character change within themselves. Most Gamblers Anonymous members look upon this as their greatest challenge, which should be worked on immediately and continued throughout their lives.
[Top of Page]Anyone who has a desire to stop gambling. There are no other rules or regulations concerning Gamblers Anonymous membership.
[Top of Page]There are no assessments in connection with Gamblers Anonymous membership. The newcomer signs nothing and pledges nothing. However, we do have expenses relative to our group meeting and our Gamblers Anonymous service facilities. Since Gamblers Anonymous has traditionally been fully self supporting and declines outside contribution, these expenses are met through voluntary financial support by the members. Experience has shown that acceptance of these financial responsibilities is a vital part of our individual and group growth process.
[Top of Page]Anonymity has great practical value in maintaining unity within our fellowship. Through its practice at the level of press, radio, films and television we have eliminated the possibility of fame and recognition being given to the individual member; hence, we have not been faced with any great internal struggles for power and prestige which would prove highly detrimental to our essential unity.
Anonymity also has great value in attracting new members who initially might feel there is a stigma attached to the problem. Therefore, we guarantee the newcomer as much anonymity as they choose.
More importantly, we are beginning to realize that anonymity has tremendous spiritual significance. It represents a powerful reminder that we need always place principles above personalities.
Our survival as individuals demands that we renounce personal gratification . . . so our Gamblers Anonymous movement not only advocates but tries to practice true humility and it is through greater humility that we will be able to live in peace and security for all the years to come.
[Top of Page]No. Gamblers Anonymous is composed of people from many religious faiths along with agnostics and atheists. Since membership in Gamblers Anonymous requires no particular religious belief as a condition of membership, it cannot be described as a religious society. The Gamblers Anonymous recovery program is based on acceptance of certain spiritual values but the member is free to interpret these principles as he chooses.
