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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.
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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.
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.
Who can join
Gamblers Anonymous?
Anyone who has a desire
to stop gambling. There are no other rules or regulations concerning Gamblers Anonymous membership.
20 Questions
Are you a compulsive gambler?
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, trouble, boredom or loneliness?
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 7 of these questions.
If you feel you might be a compulsive gambler, have a gambling
problem or have a desire to stop gambling, you can speak to someone right now by calling 888-442-7105.
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