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Compulsive Gambling
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What is the GA Recovery Programme ?
When compulsive gamblers apply the 12-step recovery programme in their lives, disintegration stops and unification begins. These steps are basically
spiritual in their concept and their practice can be highly rewarding. These are the steps which are suggested as a programme 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.
Made 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 understand him) praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12.
Having made an effort to practise these principles in all our affairs, we tried to carry this message to other compulsive gamblers.
No-one claims these steps are in any way original to GA They reflect
practical experience and application of spiritual insights as recorded by thoughtful men in many ages. Their greatest importance lies in the fact that they work.
They enable us and thousands of others to lead
happy, productive lives. They represent the foundation upon which our society has been built.
They were given to us freely, for which we are grateful.
A Guide to Step One
After attending
their first meeting of GA and reading some of the literature many people ask themselves, “Where do I go from here?”. They will have noticed the friendly and relaxed atmosphere within the room, and the attitude
of the people free from the tensions they may be feeling at that moment. This did not come about by chance.
It is not by chance that people come to Gamblers Anonymous.
It is not by chance that most members appear confident and happy.
It is not by chance they can help new members.
It is not by chance that most GA members do not gamble.
If it is not by chance then
WHAT !
It is through the 12 Step Recovery Programme, the first and most important being Step One.
Admitted we were powerless over gambling,
that out lives had become unmanageable.
The gambler is a person who turns into himself and the purpose of this Step is to help open the gamblers mind and surrender part
of the burden, lifting the weight and worry of the problem by sharing it with the Fellowship or another human being.
Looking at Step One means looking at yourself, the way your life has been and the way your
life is, and identifying and believing that the root cause of you problems is gambling.
Believe it or not, accepting Step One will probably be the most positive step you will take in your life. You will
feel the freedom from the compulsion to gamble, and have the freedom to enjoy the pleasures life has to offer without gambling.
Remember:
Relax, Take It Easy, One Day At A Time
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Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon are both voluntary organisations.
Voluntary self financing is part of
the recovery programme to cover the cost of group meetings, fellowship literature and the help lines.
GA and Gam-Anon refuse outside contributions.
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