Recovery Programs & Groups

2

Aug 22

Gam-Anon

Tags: Gam-Anon,Gambling Addiction,Treatment,Therapy,Meetings,Gambling Addiction Support Group,Compulsive Gambling Help

Gambling addiction doesn't just affect the gambler, family members, loved ones and friends are also affected and need help and recovery. You may not have heard of this self-help organization called Gam-Anon but it is a support system for individuals that have a spouse, family member or close friend that's a compulsive gambler. Compulsive gambling is a serious emotional illness and members of Gam-Anon need to understand that, it's important to their own recovery.

The purpose of Gam-Anon

• Learn acceptance and understanding of the gambling illness


• To use the program and its problem solving suggestions as aids in rebuilding their lives


• Upon their own recovery, give assistance to those who suffer

Gam-Anon is founded on spiritual principles and is a place where people meet to unburden themselves of problems they face from having relationships with a compulsive gambler in their life. Because everyone attending Gam-Anon meetings share the fact that a compulsive gambler in their life is affecting them, who better understands what you're going through than another Gam-Anon member.

You aren't offered counseling or therapy, a Gam-Anon meeting is a safe place for you to bring your current situation and hopefully by the time you leave you will have a new perspective on your situation. Gam-Anon is a wonderful support system but only you can make it work, other members are there to offer their support if you reach out to them.

Members listen to each other with an empathetic ear because they're able to understand what you're going through not a sympathetic or critical ear. You will hear experiences from others that may be similar to yours, these can give you and other members a new approach you may want to consider, and insight is what Gam-Anon meetings provide to their members.

If you grew up with a compulsive gambler but your not sure if Gam-Anon is for you then check out the Gam-Anon 20 Questions available on their site that will help you decide if Gam-Anon might be right for you.

If you're living with a compulsive gambler and your not sure if Gam-Anon is right for you then review the Gam-Anon 20 Questions available on their site that will help you decide if Gam-Anon might be right for you.

Thinking about attending a Gam-Anon meeting then view Gam-Anon Newcomer Suggestions for more information and Gam-Anon Meeting Schedules to find a meeting near you.

2 Comments

1. 
   Kelley C. 2 years ago

   I knew I had a problem, but I didn't know where to turn for help. Every day as soon as I got off work I raced over the casino. I spent most of my paycheck on gambling. In fact, one day, just before rent was due I realized that I only had $100. My rent was $700. There was no way for me to come up with $600 over the span of a couple of days unless I won at the casino. At least that's how I justified it in my mind. So, I went to the casino and I gambled away my last $100. I didn't win like I was planning.
   
   
   
   Once I found myself penniless and facing eviction I knew that I had a real problem, so I went to Gam-Anon. I didn't know what else to do or where else to go. Thankfully, the people at Gam-Anon were kind, caring and understanding. They didn't pressure me to share anything I wasn't comfortable with sharing. I didn't even have to tell them my name if I didn't want to.
   
   
   
   I worked the steps and got a sponsor. Now, almost a year later, I'm proud to say that I haven't gambled in 11 months. Next month, God willing, I'll be getting my one-year coin. I've moved into a wonderful apartment and have been paying my bills on time every single month for the last 11 months. A gambling-free live is an amazing life, and I couldn't have experienced it without Gam-Anon!

2. 
   Meghann M. 2 years ago

   My wife said she'd leave me if I didn't go to Gam-Anon. I didn't want to go, but I didn't want to lose my wife, either. She was the love of my life and my high school sweetheart. I had to safe our marriage, so I agreed to take the plunge and go to Gam-Anon. However, I didn't agree to stop gambling. I didn't think that my gambling was any of her business or her problem.
   
   
   
   A few months after going to Gam-Anon meetings and working the steps I was finally able to be honest with myself. My gambling was ruining my marriage and my life. My wife and I couldn't afford to save for retirement on my $100,000 per year salary because I spent so much money gambling. When I realized that I decided to get a sponsor and take Gam-Anon more seriously. That was six months and 29 days ago. Tomorrow I get my six-month coin if I can live a gambling-free life for one more day.
   
   
   
   Life now is about so much more than gambling. I didn't realize it before, but I wasn't really happy. I was stressed and didn't know how to manage my stress. Now I have a supportive community of caring people at Gam-Anon who are there to help me get through hard times without finding myself at a poker table, on the way to the racetrack or headed to a casino. I owe my life, my marriage and my happiness to the great people and my amazing sponsor at Gam-Anon.