Gamblers 12-step is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problems and help others to recover from the disease of gambling.

 

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop gambling. There are no dues or fees for Gamblers 12-Step membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. Gamblers 12-Step is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay clean from all gambling and to help other compulsive gamblers achieve abstinence from all gambling.

 

Gamblers 12-Step is then a group of people for whom gambling has become a major problem and have decided to do something about it. We have decided, based on the evidence of our lives, that gambling must be eliminated from our lives, and we are now honestly attempting to build a satisfactory mode of living.

 

Gamblers 12-Step has no dogma, no creed, no ritual. Our program does not intrude into a member’s conception of the spirituality of our program. We believe that an appeal for help to one’s own interpretation of a Higher Power, and the acceptance of that help, is the one indispensable factors in working towards a satisfactory adjustment to life and its problems.

In most cases, the Gamblers 12-Step program and the spiritual concept of a Higher Power are acquired by evolution rather than revolution.

 

Companionship and group and individual discussions are also indispensable features for attaining permanent and total abstinence from gambling. If you examine your record honestly and objectively and admit to yourself that you are a compulsive gambler and sincerely want to recover, then our fellowship is for you. Your hope will lie in an energetic, sincere effort to be guided by the strength, hope and experience provided by other compulsive gamblers, and a faithful adherence to the Gamblers 12-Step program.

 

A voluntary collection is taken at each meeting to defray current expenses of meeting halls, refreshments, etc. Gamblers 12-Step emphasizes that there are no salaries or other financial payments to any member for helping others. Recovery and the attainment of a better way of life are the rich rewards received by Gamblers 12-Step.

 

(Adapted from GRAPEVINE, A.A. Grapevine, Inc.)

What is Gamblers 12 Step?

Are you a Compulsive Gambler?


Ask yourself these questions, and answer them honestly:

  1. 1.Have you ever lost time from work due to gambling?

  2. 2.Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?

  3. 3.Has gambling ever effected your reputations?

  4. 4.Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?

  5. 5.Have you ever had financial difficulties as a result of gambling?

  6. 6.Have you ever turned to inferior companions and environment when gambling?

  7. 7.Has your efficiency or ambition decreased since you started gambling?

  8. 8.Has gambling ever caused you to have difficulty sleeping?

  9. 9.Has gambling ever jeopardized your job or business?

  10. 10.Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?

  11. 11.Have you ever sold or pawned any real or personal property to finance your gambling?

  12. 12. Have you ever been reluctant to use gambling money for normal expenditures?

  13. 13.Have you ever gambled to get money to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?

  14. 14.Have you often gambled till your last dollar was gone?

  15. 15.Have you ever considered self-destruction as a result of your gambling?

  16. 16.After losing, have you ever felt you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?

  17. 17.After winning, have you ever had a strong urge to win more?

  18. 18.Have you ever used credit cards or borrowed to finance your gambling?

  19. 19.Have you ever committed or considered committing an illegal act to finance gambling?

  20. 20.Have you ever had an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?

  21. 21.Has gambling ever made you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family?

  22. 22.Have arguments, disappointments, or frustrations ever created within you an urge to gamble?

  23. 23.Have you ever planned to place only one bet and continue to gamble longer than you planned?


If you answered “Yes”, to any five of these questions, you may be a problem gambler.