Gamblers Anonymous  If you have a problem with gambling the best place to go to seek help is Gambler’s Anonymous (G.A.). Here’s some info:
What is Gamblers Anonymous? Gamblers Anonymous is a group for men and women of all ages, sexes and races who come together to try and do something about problems they have with gambling. They help each other as well as trying to help themselves. Who can join?  Anyone who has a desire to stop gambling can join; there are no other rules or regulations concerning G.A. membership. The G.A. see compulsive gambler as a very sick person but they can fully recover by following a simple programme, which has worked for 100’s of others with gambling problems. It’s not a religious society, the recovery programme is based on acceptance of certain spiritual values but the individual member is free to interpret these principles as he chooses.
How much does it cost to join? It doesn’t cost anything and you don’t have to sign any formal agreements or anything when you join. However it does cost money to run meetings and facilities, members giving contributions usually cover these costs.  Who runs it?
The government does not run it and there isn’t much formal organisation and there are no executives who control others or the whole organisation. However in the local groups someone is needed to arrange the meetings, look after the money and organise stuff for the meeting. How can the G.A. programme help stop me gambling?  It takes a lot of effort to overcome one of the most baffling, insidious, compulsive addictions and one of the important step is to admit to having a problem to yourself, accept it is an illness and have the desire to get well. G.A. say that ‘honesty, open-mindedness and willingness are the key words’ on the way to recovery. Their recover programme brings about ‘a progressive personality change from within and having faith in and trying to understand the basic concepts of the G.A. Recovery Programme can accomplish this.’ It’s not easy to do this but by working with other compulsive gamblers in a G.A. group, you can find vital support and understanding and it gives you an opportunity to talk in comfort about your problems and past experiences. This will make you feel accepted and needed rather than alone and misunderstood. It will show you your finest qualities, such as generosity, honesty, tolerance and humility. All this will contribute to your willingness to stop the illness of compulsive gambling.
 If I join, will everybody know about my problems?
Well your habits probably mark you out as a gambler already but G.A. will not tell anyone about your membership, it’s 100% confidential. Does G.A. look upon compulsive gambling as a moral vice? ‘No.’ Does G.A. want to abolish gambling? ‘No. The question of abolishing gambling is a controversial issue about which G.A. has no opinion.’ What if I’m not a gambler but a friend or member of my family is?  There are also GamAnon meetings, which provide support and encouragement for families and friends of compulsive gamblers regardless of whether the gambler attends Gamblers Anonymous or not. Meetings are usually held on the same nights as GA meetings but in separate rooms and they do not share experiences or information about each other. If you think a friend or member of your family is compulsive gambler, ring the helpline number near you, or visit the website @, where you can e-mail a Gamanon member direct.
If you think you may be a compulsive gambler then call the G.A. helpline on 020 7384 3040 or visit the website @ www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk, where you can e-mail a GA member direct and confidentially and get the telephone umber for the G.A in your area. If you or anybody you know are having problems with gambling try the following places for help and support @ the Addictions Links Page. Read:
by ChrisM
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