ABOUT
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. |