Gambling Addiction & Recovery Support Group

Compulsive gambling is an urge or addiction to gamble despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop. A preferred term among many professionals is problem gambling, as few people described by the term experience true compulsions in the clinical sense of the word. Problem gambling often is defined by whether harm is experienced by the gambler or others rather...

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A Little Scared

sglt71
sglt71
Monday, I am supposed to finally go to my first GA meeting. I am a little scared, but a good friend of mine is taking me, and he will not take no for an answer. I have gambled 3 times in a little over 2 years and a couple of months. As far as I am concerned, it is 3 times too many. Basically, I am doing really well. I have not had a late bill for 2 years, and I am paying towards my debt monthly. I just don't know why the thought of GA has always seemed to scare me. I will do what everyone told me to do and go in with a positive attitude. I am sure that it will be helpful for me, maybe I will make some new friends, and maybe I will be able to help some people out that have just started their fight against their gambling addiction. I just wanted to let you know because I am sure that I will need some encouragement, and I know that all of you are very good at that. Thank you making me feel so welcome. I feel like I have been a member of this group for a long time, not just the few short weeks that it was.
atticus63
atticus63
HI S, It is more than understandable that you be nervous to attend your first GA meeting. Something to remember is that they are just like you, and all of us. We are compulsive gamblers who have lost the ability to control our gambling. You can choose to share or not, at your first meeting. See how comfortable you feel. You might be surprised at yourself. It is very cathartic to speak aloud things you have only thought. I can only speak from my experience, but I have found such love and caring in my GA group, it has become a second family. So happy for you that you have chosen to make this step. The other thing to remember is, GA groups have their own personalities. If you end up not liking the one you go to, I sure would give a different group a shot. Love, ~E
jayd03
jayd03
I'll echo E's response. It is cathartic for sure, you can gain a perspective that is somewhat unparalleled from sharing your thoughts with folks just like you and being able to feel the empathy and see the empathy.
Another echo is that I'm associated with 3 different rooms and have been to 2 others- each is distinctly different in style- even the room layout or location which can alter one's perception to some extent, so if you feel comfortable, terrific, if not find another room and that may be a better fit. For me, the different rooms offer me the different perspectives I've mentioned and I embrace that- you can never get too much advice, but it is how you take it and use it that matters. Moreover, don't take the first meeting as a barometer of the room overall- each meeting could have it's own dynamic too, based upon others recent experiences. They've always said in my neck of the woods, give it 90 days and if you don't like it, feel free to move on and I would say that's sound advice.
I'd also say that it is anonymous- part of the name- so you're not locked into anything and have nothing to fear.
Jay