I was going over the Unity steps and realized that when I have had a slip or am in trouble and I feel so ashamed to admit and return to the group...that Unity Step 3 had us covered right from the get go.
The desire to stop is all that is required. Those who wrote the book knew full well that not all members can resist the temptation, but that as long as they had desire that was the requirement.

I truly have desire. More and more as time goes by.
I am curious as to what others feel about this topic.

'Hey.. That is a good topic.. and so true..
Yes the 'ones responsible for writing the literature knew what they needed to 'convey to anyone..who had a problem with 'gambling.
'And true honesty at a meeting 'would be something like this.:
"I still want to gamble ";but I am here. ''
"I just gambled ; but I am here.
"I may gamble later , right now I feel safe.
"Time is the Healer of all they say.. For me it took time 'to lose the desire and 'wanting'.. It got replaced with 'I did not know what I wanted so while am waiting to 'move on 'All bets are off'..
gams5.

You are absolutely right gams...so many times, I should have said "I just gambled but I am here." But not enough guts...so glad you arer where you are.
I will get there...I have faith and desire.
Blessings

Good topic for discussion...here's my take for what it's worth (not much) LOL:
I've returned to GA after gambling many times. Actually for 3 - 4 yrs I did just that. Took me a long time to get it. I felt welcomed by most people. Sometimes I would share, often would not. But...how many people have walked through those doors and don't return, or are absent for long periods of time...and I hear from the core group comments about how sure they are that the person has returned to gambling, sometimes accompanied by the eye rolling I so despise. Where is the acknowledgment that they have a desire to quit just by showing up? I have been prompted to ask if the core group knows that someone had resumed gambling, if they have called the person to check on them..or just their judgment that the person was weak or beyond help, or not serious about quitting. Who are we to decide that for someone? When people return, that same core group are of course nice and supportive, express their concern...which seems quite fake and dishonest to me. I always doubt their recovery, their motive for being there, and their honesty , or should I say dishonesty, is evident. Principles before personality?? Usually not. But, I hang on, because in spite of it...there is often someone there who helps me, who has a story that resonates in my head, that makes me think, makes me less self-pitying...and that in itself, is worth it. Not to mention I attend a very strong AA group also....no subterfuge there. Just support and understanding. OK, enough from me~I apologize for my negative thoughts...which are my perceptions of the one GA mtg we have here, and certainly not indicative of all.

Interesting brigs.. I can identify with 'the exact thoughts .
Saddly the 'majority are led into 'thinking that the cg's who don't return are surely gambling.. and Statistics are 'I believe not true of the many who don't return .. Some have just Moved on ,, LIke me ..
For me personally.. I don't attend 'GA.anymore 'I believe it is close to '3 years now 'or '2 and '1/2.. . has anyone called from the 'Core Group. NO.. ''I have called a member about another reason , so we chin rawed.. 'for awhile. And of course 'they know am not 'gambling due their presence of reading 'the 'Safe Harbor 'Posts.. lol and by our conversation.
I believe to feel good 'and share', Trust is the issue..
I believe not all 'topics problems belong in 'a Room at GA..
Not all are trustworthy.. and 'that is a reality of 'people getting help in a place where the focus can be on others problems instead of their own ''and keeping what is said in a room 'is not a place many are at.(Those are my thoughts )
'I have entered 'a room at 'some G.A and felt immediately uncomfortable.
'And that is not because I gambled.
'I think G.A is a Wonderful Program. And Works..Can be Worked at Home also.
It is my responsibility to 'be 'the Best I can be ..
I can 'spread my wings out into the World .
I have no thoughts of 'gambling or self destruction..
I am who I am 'because I learned to trust again.. through many other therapies 'mostly counselling .
I suggest G.A to many. it is a 'great way to 'address gambling and the characters created to 'justify gambling.
Today is the most important Day to me. I keep what works and the comfort Zones that enhance my feelings.. to Validate them..
'As one 'priest said to me in the '80's.. '
Don't test or tempt your sobriety.. If you are uncomfortable ', get the hell out. That pretty much somes up my 'new life'..
'gams5 (((((serenity 'and 'brigs))))))

Yep, I agree, GA is valuable for many...probably life-saving for some. I derive some benefit,mainly from the members who have real recovery, or I wouldn't continue to go. Many of the "core" group here haven't worked the steps...lol. Last night I read the Day At A Time reading for 3/31; however I also read 4/6, which talks about welcoming members back who have slipped with open arms, not judging them for their slip. I opened a can of worms with that!! The "powers that be" were immediately sheepish, then defensive and talked with each other about how they are so caring and always welcome folks back without comment, how they call the people who aren't there for a few meetings, which is untrue. There always seems to be a comment about who is absent, and the ubiquitous "he/she is probably gambling" and the head nodding in assent around the table. This is not to say that they have never been beneficial to some; that I don't know. Many people there are helpful, so I can't let a few stand in the way of what I need/want/derive from going there.

WTg brigs its about what you derive out of a meeting.. Like myself 'after 2 years I went for me not for others..
Over time and with 'job schedules and winter conditions . I found myself alone working the programm. I stopped expecting , to depend on .
I grew away from it.. ; but frankly there were only '2 in the group who I cared about who had been there, 1 from the onset .
Since I did not depend on 'them.. because there where many issues I had to reach out for help with 'when I could not get to a meeting , I learned I could 'go it' without therapy once a week .
Once the 'doors of communication opened for me with 'spouse/family/friends.. I found an outlet with them that I 'found when I went to meetings.. So that Replaced therapy for me.
It still does..I am more intimate with having to 'share with them.. now
NO longer do I feel different and they don't understand..
They know my problem of the past and also 'Today 'are more 'aware of keeping me free of temptations with 'not 'discussing 'gambling or playing cards for money at family functions ';but that is the way it is for me.. Not all are fortunate and may need that therapy outside of the house.
Also the network of close trusted friends. Now.. Some old Some new since Recovery.. That is how it works for me.. Today..
I Know I can't wager.. and the PItfalls.. and I know I can attend GA anytime in the future anywhere in my ''travels along my HIGHWAY'..
The only REquirment is a desire not to Gamble.. FRee.Too. lol..
Good thread ..Good feedback. ON going we are'.. Amen..
gams5..

UNITY... im loving that word now. anytime i have tried to stop gambling, especially being a casino dealer myself, it has been alone, or with or around people who dont understand me, judge me, or really dont understand the extent of the problem. now i have a friend, who is just as bad as i am, if not even worse...
and we are working together to stop, and do productive things with our lives. for that i am eternally greatful now, because i actually can see, and feel success at hand. i have someone to talk to, plan things with, and we went together and barred ourselves from the local casinos... im exited about my recovery

I am glad this was explained. I definitely have the desire to stop gambling. I'm willing to do whatever it takes. For now, I find that GA meetings are beneficial for me. I need that interaction in my life. I've also found great support here at DS and it is helping immensely.