Gamblers Anonymous: Support Group for Gambling Addiction

What is Gamblers Anonymous?

Gamblers Anonymous is a support group for people who are struggling to stop gambling. It’s a peer-support group, meaning that all members are compulsive gamblers themselves in various stages of recovery.

Because all members of Gamblers Anonymous share the same condition, meetings represent an opportunity to share experiences and challenges in an empathetic and non-judgemental environment. Listening to others talk about their journey through recovery can help compulsive gamblers feel less alone.

Gamblers Anonymous programs include the concept of sponsorship. This is where another member of the group, usually a more experienced one, becomes a primary point of contact for a new member. Sponsorship is a flexible arrangement that can be adapted to meet the needs of both the sponsor and the sponsee and can be a contributing factor to individuals continuing with the process.^[3]

Both membership and meetings are free for all members of Gamblers Anonymous. This can be a significant benefit for compulsive gamblers who, by the nature of their addiction, are often in financial difficulties at the point at which they seek help.^[4]

Gamblers Anonymous membership is also highly flexible. Members are able to attend any meeting, without booking in advance. There is no requirement to commit to a minimum or regular schedule, though new members especially are encouraged to attend frequently.

Anonymity is another key feature for many members of Gamblers Anonymous. Members only use their first names during meetings and anything said during the meeting is considered confidential. This allows members to disclose actions that might otherwise be too shameful to share.

How does Gamblers Anonymous work?

Gamblers Anonymous follows the same basic procedure as other 12-step programs. It is an abstinence-based program, meaning that the end goal is always a complete cessation of any gambling activities. Members are encouraged to move through the steps sequentially and discuss their progress at meetings.

The 12 steps of the Gamblers Anonymous program are the same no matter which meeting you attend.^[5]

1. Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over gambling - that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Step 2: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to a normal way of thinking and living.
3. Step 3: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of this Power of our own understanding.
4. Step 4: Made a searching and fearless moral and financial inventory of ourselves.
5. Step 5: Admitted to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Step 6: Were entirely ready to have these defects of character removed.
7. Step 7: Humbly asked God (of our understanding) to remove our shortcomings.
8. Step 8: Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Step 9: Make direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Step 10: Continued to take personal inventory and when we found we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
11. Step 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. Step 12: Having made an effort to practice these principles in all our affairs, we tried to carry this message to other compulsive gamblers

Rather than focusing exclusively on gambling behaviors, which would be the focus of a therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), these steps are designed to create lifestyle and emotional changes which then support a gambling-free lifestyle.^[6]

There’s no expected timeframe for completing these steps. Individual members may need to spend longer working on one particular step that is difficult for them.

Although the steps reference a ‘Power’ and ‘God’, Gamblers Anonymous isn’t a religious organization. Members are encouraged to find their own meaning within the steps.

What to expect from GA meetings

Attending a first Gamblers Anonymous meeting can be a daunting prospect. Here are some of the key facts newcomers might need to know.

There are two types of Gamblers Anonymous meetings: open and closed. The majority of meetings are closed meetings, which means that the only people present will be compulsive gamblers themselves. Friends and family can come to open meetings but are requested not to attend closed meetings.

Most meetings will have a designated person who is responsible for welcoming new members. This person will give you a brief explanation of the structure of the meeting and answer any questions you might have.

You are not required to speak at a Gamblers Anonymous meeting, though you will probably be offered the opportunity if you would like to. People will introduce themselves by first names only.

Meetings typically last for around an hour, though this can vary. Meetings are usually a combination of reading from Gamblers Anonymous literature and sharing personal stories and experiences.

Who should join Gamblers Anonymous?

Gamblers Anonymous is open to anyone who defines themselves as a compulsive or problematic gambler and wants to stop. Meetings are also open to people who are unsure as to whether they are problem gamblers and are seeking to understand their situation.

No program for tackling addiction works for everyone but Gamblers Anonymous is free and there is no need to make a long-term commitment to attend, making it an accessible program. It can be a helpful first step in tackling problem gambling.

It’s important to note that Gamblers Anonymous has a firm belief that the only way to tackle compulsive gambling is total abstinence. It is not appropriate for people who are looking to reduce their gambling or who want to focus on harm-reduction strategies.

Alternatives and complementary support options

Gamblers Anonymous is the most common form of support available for people struggling with compulsive gambling, but it will not work for everyone and other options are available.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help tackle core beliefs and expectations that underpin problem gambling. CBT can take place in a one-to-one setting with a trained therapist, as part of group therapy, or even online. Studies suggest that Gamblers Anonymous and CBT have broadly similar levels of effectiveness.^[7]

Some medications, including carbamazepine, naltrexone, clomipramine, fluvoxamine, and lithium, may help treat compulsive gambling but the evidence for these is limited.^[2] These drugs may work by helping tackle the depression many gamblers experience or by reducing the ‘high’ gambling produces. In nearly all cases, these medications will only be prescribed in the event there is an underlying mental health condition that is contributing to someone’s gambling.

How to find a Gamblers Anonymous meeting

You can easily find a support meeting near you through the American Gamblers Anonymous site. Most people have a primary group where they attend most of their meetings, so it can be helpful to choose one that is close and convenient. This is not necessary, however, and you might prefer to try several groups before choosing which one feels right for you.