An Addiction Embracing the Nation
Gamblers no longer need to trek to Las Vegas or Atlantic City to find the action they crave. It is available today in their own homes and home towns.
Legalized gambling is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. Gambling's tremendous popularity is evident in the recent increase in the number of off-track-betting parlors (OTBs) and riverboat casinos that dot the Midwest and the Mississippi Delta. Billboards on major highways depict the action and excitement available at such facilities. Although illegal, except in Nevada, online casinos are brought into the home via the internet.
For most of the industry's patrons, gambling is fun and a form of harmless entertainment. For the four to six percent of gamblers who become problem or pathological (compulsive) gamblers, however, it can be a devastating illness that negatively affects every aspect of their lives.
What is the difference between casual
social gambling and pathological gambling?
Gambling can be defined as playing a game of chance for stakes. Gambling occurs in many forms, most commonly pari-mutuels (horse and dog tracks, off-track-betting parlors, Jai Alai), lotteries, casinos (slot machines, table games), bookmaking (sports books and horse books), card rooms, bingo and the stock market.
Pathological gambling is a progressive disease that devastates not only the gambler but everyone with whom he or she has a significant relationship. In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association accepted pathological gambling as a "disorder of impulse control." It is an illness that is chronic and progressive, but it can be diagnosed and treated.
Recognizing gambling addiction:
Pathological gambling is often a hidden disease because it is not apparent by simply looking at a person. It cannot be detected by a breath test or a blood test, nor does it leave needle marks.
Pathological gamblers hide their lottery tickets, sports picks, etc. from their family, friends and co-workers. Gambling can be a means of escaping from other problems in a marriage or at work, so it may go unnoticed as a significant problem itself.
The Custer Three Phase Model
Robert L. Custer, M.D., identified the progression of gambling addiction as including three phases:
* the winning phase
* the losing phase
* and the desperation phase.
During the winning phase, gamblers experience a big win or a series of wins that leaves them with unreasonable optimism that their winning will continue. This leads them to feel great excitement when gambling, and they begin increasing the amounts of their bets.
During the losing phase, the gamblers often begin bragging about wins they have had, start gambling alone, think more about gambling and borrow money legally or illegally. They start lying to family and friends and become more irritable, restless and withdrawn. Their home life becomes more unhappy, and they are unable to pay off debts. The gamblers begin to "chase" their losses, believing they must return as soon as possible to win back their losses.
During the desperation phase, there is a marked increase in the time spent gambling. This is accompanied by remorse, blaming others and alienating family and friends. Eventually, the gamblers may engage in illegal acts to finance their gambling. They may experience hopelessness, suicidal thoughts and attempts, arrests, divorce, alcohol and/or other drug abuse, or an emotional breakdown.
Who is affected?
Current estimates suggest that three percent of the adult population will experience a serious problem with gambling that will result in significant debt, family disruption, job losses, criminal activity or suicide.
Pathological gambling affects the gamblers, their families, their employers and the community. As the gamblers go through the phases of their addiction, they spend less time with their family and spend more of their family's money on gambling until their bank accounts are depleted. Then they may steal money from family members.
At work, the pathological gambler misuses time in order to gamble, has difficulty concentrating and finishing projects and may engage in embezzlement, employee theft or other illegal activities.
Robert L. Custer, M.D., identified six types of gamblers
1. Professional gamblers make their living by gambling and thus consider it a profession. They are skilled in the games they choose to play and are able to control both the amount of money and time spent gambling. Thus, professional gamblers are not addicted to gambling. They patiently wait for the best bet and then try to win as much as they can.
2. In contrast to professional gamblers, antisocial or personality gamblers use gambling as a way to get money by illegal means. They are likely to be involved in fixing horse or dog races, or playing with loaded dice or marked cards. They may attempt to use a compulsive gambling diagnosis as a legal defense.
3. Casual social gamblers gamble for recreation, sociability and entertainment. For them, gambling may be a distraction or a form of relaxation. Gambling does not interfere with family, social or vocational obligations. Examples of such betting are the occasional poker game, Super Bowl bets, a yearly trip to Las Vegas and casual involvement in the lottery.
4. In contrast, serious social gamblers invest more of their time in gambling. Gambling is a major source of relaxation and entertainment, yet these individuals place gambling second in importance to family and vocation. This type of gambler could be compared to a "golf nut," whose source of relaxation comes from playing golf. Serious social gamblers still maintain control over their gambling activities.
5.Custer's fifth type, relief and escape gamblers, gamble to find relief from feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, boredom or loneliness. They use gambling to escape from crisis or difficulties. Gambling provides an analgesic effect rather than a euphoric response. Relief and escape gamblers are not compulsive gamblers. They are identical to relief and escape drinkers.
6. Compulsive gamblers have lost control over their gambling. For them, gambling is the most important thing in their lives. Compulsive gambling is a progressive addiction that harms every aspect of the gambler's life. As they continue to gamble, their families, friends and employers are negatively affected. In addition, compulsive gamblers may engage in activities such as stealing, lying or embezzling which go against their moral standards. Compulsive gamblers cannot stop gambling, no matter how much they want to or how hard they try.
Identifying problem gambling in the workplace
Henry Lesieur, Ph.D., researched the effects of problem gambling in the workplace in the mid 1980s. He identified the following warning signs which may indicate an individual has a gambling problem:
* Excessive use of telephones (to call bookmakers, stockbrokers or to obtain
credit)
* Taking the company vehicle to the race track, card room, casino, etc.
(parking tickets near gambling locations are a "red flag")
* Absences from work, often for part of the day (typically after lunch)
* Arriving late for work (related to all-night card games, casino trips,
anxiety-related sleep disturbances)
* Vacation days taken on isolated days rather than in weeks (or vacations
taken to gambling locations on a regular basis)
* Sick days taken immediately or ahead of time
* Failure to take days off (obsessed with getting money to pay gambling debts or afraid to take a day off because of a fear that embezzlement or fraud will
be discovered in their absence)
* Changes in productivity (which seem to be related to mood swings)
* Organizing office pools and gambling junkets
* Borrowing money from co-workers or arguing with co-workers over failure to
pay debts
* Embezzlement, defrauding customers or engaging in employee theft for
resale
* (More potential warning signs may be identified to specific corporations).
Gambling Addiction Questions and Answers
Q; Is pathological gambling similar to chemical dependency?
A: Yes and no. Similarities between pathological gambling and chemical dependency include an inability to stop/control the addiction, denial, severe depression, and mood swings. Pathological gambling and chemical dependency are both progressive diseases with similar phases. These include "chasing" the first win/high, experiencing blackouts and using the object of addiction to escape pain. Both pathological gamblers and persons addicted to alcohol or drugs are preoccupied with their addiction, experience low self-esteem, use rituals, and seek immediate gratification.
Unlike chemical addiction, pathological gambling is a hidden disease gamblers do not stumble, have needles in their arm, or smell of cards and dice. Pathological gamblers cannot overdose in the conventional sense, but they experience tremendous financial problems that require immediate attention. More resources are available to chemical dependency than gambling addiction, in part because most people do not perceive gambling as potentially addicting. It is very important that pathological gamblers receive crisis stabilization at the beginning of their treatment, because pathological gamblers have a much higher suicide rate than persons addicted to alcohol or drugs.
Q:How are children affected by pathological gambling?
A: Children may be affected in several ways. They may be physically and/or emotionally abandoned by their parents, who are unable to provide their children with needed attention and nurturing because of the time spent gambling. "Casino kids" have been left by themselves at the outer rim of casinos while their parents gamble, according to some casino security officers. In some extreme cases, children are left in the family car in the casino parking lot for hours at a time while their parents gamble inside. Less obviously, children may also spend several hours each week with babysitters while their parents gamble in casinos, bingo halls or card rooms. All of these scenarios may lead a child to feel physically and emotionally abandoned.
In addition, the dysfunction that pathological gambling creates in a home often includes spouse and child abuse. Children are abused verbally, mentally and physically by the gambler, and often even more so by the co-dependent spouse. This devastating abuse frequently goes unnoticed or is denied by others as the child suffers in silence.
In addition, the dysfunction that pathological gambling creates in a home often includes spouse and child abuse. Children are abused verbally, mentally and physically by the gambler, and often even more so by the co-dependent spouse. This devastating abuse frequently goes unnoticed or is denied by others as the child suffers in silence.
Another way children are affected by pathological gambling is when they become pathological gamblers themselves. Today, teens are approximately three times more likely than adults to become problem and pathological gamblers. It is imperative that we educate young people about the dangers of pathological gambling and the importance of seeking help if gambling becomes a problem.
Q: Are gamblers addicted to money?
A: Pathological gamblers are addicted to action, not money. Many pathological gamblers will gamble to lose in the desperation phase of their addiction, because it is the action they seek, not the money. For a gambler, being in action is similar to being high on cocaine for the person addicted to cocaine. Both describe their "drug of choice" as seductive and ultimately destructive.
Q: What is the physician's role in treating pathological gambling at the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery?
A::Pathological gambling has been recognized as a major addiction illness, similar in many ways to the chemical dependency of cocaine. It is characterized by the sudden euphoria of winning and the marked dysphoria, depression and frustration of repeated losing.
The physician is needed to assess these patients for the frequent incidence of cross addiction to drugs and alcohol, for potential drug withdrawal, and for potential suicidal tendencies associated with the depression that most patients experience. Underlying medical problems are often neglected while patients are in a gambling frenzy, leading to symptoms of illness and health deterioration. Laboratory tests and physical examinations can often uncover unexpected medical problems.
The most important medical contribution the physician makes is to assist patients who are experiencing withdrawal by supporting their need for group therapy, assessing for possible antidepressant medication, and making referrals for appropriate psychological help. The use of sedative medication is avoided, as these drugs may lead to a deepening of the depression and may actually exacerbate suicidal behavior.
Q: What is the financial counselor's role in treating pathological gambling for Addiction Recovery?
A: Pathological gamblers often find themselves in a devastating financial position by the time they reach treatment. Helping them become financially stable goes a long way in supporting their recovery and the well-being of their families.
It is the responsibility of the financial counselor first to determine the extent of the gambler's debt, and then to help guide them out of their financial problems through debt management, budgeting and restitution.
Q: Is there one type of gambling that is more addictive than others?
A: Video poker and slot machines have been referred to as the "crack cocaine of gambling." Because of their immediate and effective reinforcement schedules, problem gamblers who regularly play these machines appear to progress into pathological gambling much faster than problem gamblers who only gamble at horse races, or other games that do not have such an immediate rate of gratification.
Just as crack cocaine referred to as the "great precipitator" shortened the length of time between first use of cocaine and chronic addiction, so too have video poker and slot machines apparently reduced the length of time between first wager and pathological gambling. In the past, a gambler would experience 15 to 25 years of "sick" gambling at the horse track before he or she reached the desperation phase. Today, it is not uncommon for a gambler addicted to slot or video-poker machines to progress into the desperation phase in two or three years.
Q: Is there a biological basis for pathological gambling?
A: Biological findings from a recent study indicate that pathological gambling is an addiction similar to chemical addiction.
A study conducted by Alec Roy, M.D., a psychiatrist formerly at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, showed that some pathological gamblers have lower levels of norepinephrine than normal gamblers. This brain chemical is secreted under stress, arousal, thrill and excitement, so pathological gamblers may engage in activities such as gambling to increase their levels of norepinephrine.
This evidence supports the assertion made by Dr. Henry Lesieur, among others, that some pathological gamblers are "action seekers" who gamble, not for money, but for the excitement associated with being in action.
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Recovery Programs:
Professional Treatment / Gamblers Anonymous / Internet Support
Gambling addiction is a progressive disease. In most people, it begins slowly and grows until the victim's life becomes progressively unmanageable.
As repeated efforts to gain control over the addiction fail, life for the compulsive gambler begins to fall apart.
If the compulsive gambler could stop chasing losses, he would. All compulsive gamblers can stop gambling... for a while. But most people need professional help to stop for life.
Some people can receive help without the interruption of Inpatient Rehabilitation treatment. They are able to enter recovery through the help of an Outpatient Rehabilitation program. This type of program does not require patients to take time off from work, leave their families or enter a hospital as an inpatient.
Outpatient Rehabilitation program
Outpatient Rehabilitation programs involve a series of meetings a week. These meetings feature lectures as well as group therapy. Each patient works with a counselor to develop an individualized treatment plan. Service continues until the individual has mastered the basic skills for self-care and ongoing recovery.
Family members also play an important role in Outpatient Rehabilitation. Families attend a separate counseling group where they learn what compulsive gambling is and how they can support the patient's recovery. All patients and family members are linked with the Gamblers Anonymous communities. Most patients are in the Outpatient program between four to six weeks. Outpatient Rehabilitation programs are the best choice for compulsive gamblers who have not progressed beyond a certain point in their addiction. Successful candidates most frequently include people who are employed, living with a family, and demonstrate a history of medical stability. Another very important element is the ability to abstain from gambling activity for at least two consecutive weeks.
Inpatient Rehabilitation programs are available for the more severe cases of the campulsive gambling addicition, where the structure and stability of the hospital setting make recovery more obtainable.
How does someone get help?
The first step to recovery is finding out if you or someone you know has a problem. For a confidential Pathological Gambling assessment, call your area EAP provider. A Qualified Addiction Counselor with specific training in the treatment of Pathological Gambling will perform a professional assessment to identify if you have a problem, and then suggest an appropriate level of care in their recomended treatment and counseling programs.
On Line Resources for Reference:
National Council on Problem Gambling
Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery
The above info provided by from the Illinois Institute web site
COMPULSIVE GAMBLING EDUCATION, TRAINING
AND CONSULTATION EXPERIENCE.
Problem Gambling, A Canadian Perspective Website: Gerry Cooper, Ed.D
Online Assistance For Problem Gamblers:
AN EXAMINATION OF PARTICIPANT CHARACTERISTICS
By, Gerry Cooper, Ed.D
Please Note:
2001, NATIONAL COUNCIL ON PROBLEM GAMBLING
Awarded, Gerry Cooper, Ed.D., the
OUTSTANDING MASTER'S AND DOCTORAL DISSERTATION AWARD
for, "Online Assistance For Problem Gamblers: An Examination of Participant Characteristics and the Role of Stigma"
.
(As webmaster and CG, my laymans perception:
Although this examination of CG's was focused in regards to the stigma of
online support. The human element stigma traits are consistent with individuals that are seeking information, support, and recovery for any variety of personal problems / addictions).
References are made in regards to the study and mention a website called G.A.Web. The G.A. Web site was an interactive CG message board where CG's could share their daily recovery in dealing with the addiciton to compulsive gambling! Participants from around the globe, participated with daliy message board interactions! The G.A. Web site ceased operations July 2001, and the Compulsive Gamblers Hub (CG Hub) web site has assumed and carried on the tradition of the G.A. Web. More details will follow in the section dealing with online support!
Hazelden is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people recover from alcoholism and other drug addiction. We provide residential and outpatient treatment for adults and young people, programs for families affected by chemical dependency, and training for a variety of professionals. Hazelden is also known as the world's premier publisher of information on this subject and related areas.
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G.A. (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.
We learned we had to concede fully to our innermost selves that we are compulsive gamblers. This is the first step in our recovery. With reference to gambling, the delusion that we are like other people, or presently may be, has to be smashed. We have lost the ability to control our gambling. We know that no real compulsive gambler ever regains control. All of us felt at times we were regaining control, but such intervals - usually brief -were inevitably followed by still less control,which led in time to pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization. We are convinced that gamblers of our type are in the grip of a progressive illness. Over any considerable period of time we get worse, never better. Therefore, in order to lead normal happy lives, we try to practice to the best of our ability, certain principles in our daily affairs.
Gamblers Anonymous offers the following questions to anyone who may have a gambling problem. These questions are provided to help the individual decide if he or she is a compulsive gambler and wants to stop gambling.
TWENTY QUESTIONS
1. Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling?
2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?
3. Did gambling affect your reputation?
4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?
5. Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise
solve financial difficulties?
6. Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?
7. After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?
8. After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?
9. Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?
10. Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?
11. Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?
12. Were you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures?
13. Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family?
14. Did you ever gamble 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. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to
gamble?
19. Did you ever have 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.
COMPULSIVE GAMBLING AND GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS
What is compulsive gambling?
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.
GA UNITY PROGRAM
In order to maintain unity our experience has shown that:
1 Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon group unity.
2 Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
3 The only requirement for Gamblers Anonymous membership is a desire to stop gambling.
4 Each group should be self-governing except in matters affecting other groups or Gamblers Anonymous as a whole.
5 Gamblers Anonymous has but one primary purpose - to carry its message to the compulsive gambler who still suffers.
6 Gamblers Anonymous ought never endorse, finance or lend the Gamblers Anonymous name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7 Every Gamblers Anonymous Group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
8 Gamblers Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
9 Gamblers Anonymous, as such, ought never be or organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
10 Gamblers Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the Gamblers Anonymous name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
11 Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, films and television.
12 Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of the Gamblers Anonymous program, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
GA Questions and Answers
What is the first thing a compulsive gambler ought to do in order to stop gambling?
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.
How can you tell whether you are a compulsive gambler?
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.
How does someone stop gambling through the Gamblers Anonymous program?
One does this through bringing about a progressive character change within oneself. This can be accomplished by having faith inand followingthe 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.
Is knowing why we gambled important?
Perhaps, however insofar as stopping gambling, many Gamblers Anonymous members have abstained from gambling without the knowledge of why they gambled.
What are some characteristics of a person who is a compulsive gambler?
INABILITY AND UNWILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT REALITY. Hence the escape into the dream world of gambling.
EMOTIONAL INSECURITY. A compulsive gambler finds he or she is emotionally comfortable only when "in action". It is not uncommon to hear a Gamblers Anonymous member say: "The only place I really felt like I belonged was sitting at the poker table. There I felt secure and comfortable. No great demands were made upon me. I knew I was destroying myself, yet at the same time, I had a certain sense of security."
IMMATURITY. A desire to have all the good things in life without any great effort on their part seems to be the common character pattern of problem gamblers. Many Gamblers Anonymous members accept the fact that they were unwilling to grow up. Subconsciously they felt they could avoid mature responsibility by wagering on the spin of a wheel or the turn of a card, and so the struggle to escape responsibility finally became a subconscious obsession.
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 subconciously want to lose to punish themselves. There is much evidence to support this theory.
What is the dream world of the compulsive gambler?
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.
Isn't compulsive gambling basically a financial problem?
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.
Why can't a compulsive gambler simply use will power to stop gambling?
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.
Can a compulsive gambler ever gamble normally again?
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.
Does this mean I can't even participate in a little penny ante game or a world series pool?
It means exactly that. A stand has to be made somewhere and Gamblers Anonymous members have found the first bet is the one to avoid, even though it may be as little as matching for a cup of coffee.
I only go on gambling binges periodically. Do I need Gamblers Anonymous?
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.
THE RECOVERY PROGRAM
Here are the 12 steps which are a program of recovery
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
Page 17 combo book: TO ALL GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS MEMBERS, PARTICULARLY THE NEW GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS MEMBERS:
1. Attend as many meetings as possible, but at least one full meeting per week. MEETINGS MAKE IT.
2. Telephone other members as often as possible between meetings. Use the Telephone List!
3. Don't test or tempt yourself. Don't associate with acquaintances who gamble. Don't go in or near gambling establishments. DON'T GAMBLE FOR ANYTHING. This includes the stock market, commodities, options, buying or playing lottery tickets, raffle tickets, flipping a coin or entering the office sport pool.
4. Live the Gamblers Anonymous Program ONE DAY AT A TIME. Don't try to solve all your problems at once
5. Read the RECOVERY and UNITY steps often and continuously review the Twenty Questions. Follow the steps in your daily affairs. These steps are the basis for the entire Gamblers Anonymous Program and practicing them is the key to your growth. If you have any questions, ask them of your Trusted Servants and Sponsors.
6. When you are ready, the Trusted Servants will conduct a Pressure Relief Group meeting, or re-evaluation for you an your spouse (if married), and adherence to it will aid in your recovery.
7. Be patient! The days and weeks will pass soon enough, and as you continue to attend meetings and abstain from gambling, your recovery will really accelerate.
Gamblers Anonymous:
GA Literature depicted at Chicagoland GA website:
Note: GA is a self supporting organization. Funds are raised throught the sales of their literature. Please contact G.A. ISO main office for the purchase of these materials:
.
Gamblers Anonymous
International Service Office
P.O. Box 17173, Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 386-8789 - Fax (213) 386-0030
GA also sponsors two National Conferences a year! At these two meetings. all of the GA trustees meet and discuss issues and recomendations to the GA program.
GA is geographically broken into areas which has a given number of trustees. Area's also sponsor GA mini conferences also!
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About Gam-Anon: For Family and Friends of CG's
The self-help organization of Gam-Anon is a life saving instrument for the spouse, family or close friends of compulsive gamblers. We come into the group feeling alone, frightened, helpless, desperate and ashamed. We hesitated to share problems and failures, fearing none could understand. The Gam-Anon group is warmly accepting and it offers the new member identification. The message we receive is: "Come join with us, we too were alone, afraid and unable to cope with the problem; we will share with you a new and fulfilling way of life". Gam-Anon's purposes are three-fold: To learn acceptance and understanding of the gambling illness; to use the program and its problem solving suggestions as aids in rebuilding our lives and, upon our own recovery, to give assistance to those who suffer.
In Gam-Anon the member will experience relief from anxiety by accepting the fact of powerlessness over the problem in the family. The heavy load of responsibility for the gambling problem is lifted and the agonizing guilt in regard to failures is gradually alleviated. The energy wasted in attempts to stop loved ones from gambling can be channeled into more useful methods of problem solving.
Gam - Anon
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The World Wide (www) Internet
As you may be able to discertain through reading Gerry Cooper's papers and studies, it should leave you with the question, why are these studies important!
As the communications medium technology advances, there are many skeptics that are questioning the quantitative and qualitative values that may be gained through the use of these new communications advancements!
The key attributes offered by the internet are:
* Attend on line meetings.
* Provide the security of being able to maintain personal anonomitity!
* The ability to research the disease of choice..
* Gain an understanding of their particular addiction.
* A tool that self help groups can use to communicate with fellow CG's around
the world.
* The ability to become a lurker in the communications on message boards that have sharing and caring exchanged among their peers!
* Control the pace of the personal involvement!
* One on one interactions through the use of instant messaging.
* Ask particular questions and learn the specifics about programs.
* Feel the compassion of those that have walked before them!
* 24 / 7 access to the WWW.
* Inexpensive access.
* Provide meetings to those that do not have access to meetings within driving
range of their homes!
* Online support offers many compulsive gamblers the same sense of
"Community and Belonging" that is found in the more traditional face to face
meetings.
* Personal stigma is typically reduced in individuals as they learn that they are
not the only ones that are struggling with this terrible disease. Many actually
start attending face to face meetings.after interacting with fellow compulsive
gamblers for a period of time, online!
* The goal of many online compulsive gamblers in recovery, is to reduce the
impact of stigma with the newcomers, through the Sharing and Caring
concepts.
Some examples of CG websites:
Compulsive Gamblers Hub (CG Hub) <http://cghub.org>is an excellent online source of information and mutual-aid support for the problem gambler and concerned significant others. Visitors can read the hundreds of postings from individuals from around the world! Of course, visitors may also want to post their own note: perhaps a story, a question, or a reply to another's story or question. It also fetures an open chat room, with online weekly meetings.
<http://cghub.homestead.com/pst.html> This site is highly recommended for somebody wanting online assistance for a gambling problem. "Sharing and Caring is the Hub's key operating Philosophy!"
Healing Zone
is an example of how individuals are increasingly turning to the Internet in an effort to promote self-care, in this case, care which is primarily (although, not exclusively) directed towards residents of Montana.
RCG Reading Corner
This is to highligh only a few of the many sites on the www!
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Resource Information:
Information was gathered and compiled in regards to the beliefs of a few compulsive gamblers that active and practicing a 12 step recovery program! With all respect, our perspective of the disease, emphasizes that compulsive gambling is a chronic and progressive illness. In the medical / professional field, there is much support for this perspective, however, some have a somewhat different view of the nature and course of this disorder. It is clearly understood to be one of several ways of knowing/understanding addictions, but not the only one.
Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery
5409 N. Knoxville Ave., Peoria, IL 61614, phone 1-800-522-3784
http://www.addictionrecov.org/index2.htm
* Hank Sahlin, M.A., Financial Counselor
* James Bowman, M.D.
* Robert L Custer, M.D.
Gamblers Anonymous
International Service Office
P.O. Box 17173, Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 386-8789 - Fax (213) 386-0030
Gam - Anon
Gerry Cooper, Ed.D.
Program Director,
Communications, Education and Community Health,
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
888 Regent St., Suite 302
Sudbury, ON, P3E 6C6
