Gambling addiction is a serious issue that affects thousands of people every year. Whether you have just started your recovery journey or are looking to take the first steps towards it, Gamblers Anonymous could be part of the solution. Let’s see what this institution does to help problem gamblers and how it can be the starting point of your recovery.

• What is Gamblers Anonymous?
• How Does Gamblers Anonymous Work?
• Is Gamblers Anonymous Worth It?
• Advantages of Gamblers Anonymous
• Disadvantages of Gamblers Anonymous
• Getting the Right Help

What is Gamblers Anonymous?

Gamblers Anonymous is a recovery program and support system for those struggling with problem gambling and gambling addiction. It works similarly to the popular Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). In the US and other Western countries, AA programs have been successful in helping those with addiction, which is why a similar approach has been adapted for different disorders, including problem gambling.

How Does Gamblers Anonymous Work?

A Gambling Anonymous (or GA) program consists of group therapy sessions with individuals dealing with problem gambling, allowing them to share their experiences and find much-needed support. Sponsors in the program guide each person. They can call or meet their sponsor whenever they feel the need to gamble or when they feel depressed, sad, or unmotivated. Usually, sponsors are people who fought addiction and recovered and are now willing to give a hand to others.

The work behind the program

GA projects typically consist of milestones or steps that each participant must complete to finish the program. Sessions usually take place once or twice a week, although this can vary from program to program. Each participant can attend for as long as they like. Some may complete their milestones or steps in 3 months, while others may take six months. In terms of progress, everyone moves at their own pace.

Is Gamblers Anonymous Worth It?

A study from St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto showed excellent prospects for Gamblers Anonymous programs. The researchers involved in the study concluded that in terms of problem gambling, those who took part in GA Programs were showing good signs of recovery, including better-coping abilities. Moreover, the study highlighted that GA Programs combined with other therapeutic approaches to treating addiction had the best results in overcoming the problem. Another research from the Journal of Gambling Studies emphasised that those who attend GA are often highly motivated to receive treatment for their addiction and that many of those who completed the program became abstinent. If you are looking for a reputable program to treat problem gambling, then Gamblers Anonymous is a solution worth trying.

Advantages of Gamblers Anonymous

GA meetings have several advantages over other methods, especially when it comes to creating a support network. Moreover, Gamblers Anonymous is a reputable method, with studies backing up its claims.

A reliable method

Gamblers Anonymous is a reliable method for treating problem gambling, as studies have shown over the years. It is derived from the Alcoholics Anonymous or AA method, which has become well-known all over the globe. The science community backs up the GA method, and research has shown it is very effective when combined with other therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy or CBT and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy or DBT.

Not time-consuming

GA programs include weekly or bi-weekly sessions, which may last 60, 90, or 120 minutes. That is amazing for those who don’t want to neglect other aspects of their lives during recovery. Those who attend will still have time for work, family, and other forms of therapy.

Creates a support network

What is impressive about Gamblers Anonymous is that it creates a solid support network. Those struggling with problem gambling will be surrounded by people who share the same objectives, understand exactly what they went through, and are willing to share what worked or didn’t work for them.

No place for judging

GA creates an environment with no place for judging others and no place for hate, whether self-hate or directed towards others. In a GA meeting, one can find support, patience, empathy, robust solutions, and a shoulder to cry on.

Disadvantages of Gamblers Anonymous

GA is indeed a reliable method for helping those who fight addiction, yet it is not perfect. Here are some of the main disadvantages of Gamblers Anonymous programs:

Not available everywhere in the world

Unfortunately, GA sessions are not available worldwide. There are still countries where access to mental health care is scarce. Also, Gamblers Anonymous or any other types of mental health programs rarely occur in rural areas. Luckily, the internet can make things easier, as online sessions worldwide become available to those with a reliable internet connection. If you live in an area where Gamblers Anonymous sessions don’t take place, you can still find GA programs that take place online and join.

It doesn’t replace psychiatric help

GA meetings are not to be confused with psychiatric help or with psychotherapy. The support of a psychiatrist or a psychotherapist can complement the progress one makes in the Gamblers Anonymous Program. For those who also struggle with depression, anxiety, or other mental disorders, psychiatric help is mandatory, as a GA program cannot correctly assess and treat mental illnesses.

Getting the Right Help

There are solutions that can help with problem gambling, but the most crucial step in treatment remains acknowledging the problem. Reputable Gamblers Anonymous Programs are trustworthy and can aid in treating problem gambling. Still, the best approach remains consulting an addiction specialist, whether a psychiatrist or a psychotherapist, to ensure that no aspect of the problem, including untreated mental disorders, remains unsolved.