The Gamblers Anonymous Recovery Program is the foundation upon which those in the Fellowship are able to rebuild their lives.
The Recovery Program is outlined in these 12 steps, the benefits from working and practicing these steps with a sponsor is a better way of living.
1. We admitted we were powerless over gambling – that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to a normal way of thinking and living.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of this Power of our own understanding.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral and financial inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have these defects of character removed.
7. Humbly asked God (of our understanding) to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having made an effort to practice these principles in all our affairs, we tried to carry this message to other compulsive gamblers.
The Gamblers Anonymous Unity Program is a framework for the well-being of individual groups and the Fellowship as a whole.
1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon group unity.
2. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
3. The only requirement for Gamblers Anonymous membership is a desire to stop gambling.
4. Each group should be self-governing except in matters affecting other groups or Gamblers Anonymous as a whole.
5. Gamblers Anonymous has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the compulsive gambler who still suffers.
6. Gamblers Anonymous ought never endorse, finance or lend the Gamblers Anonymous name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7. Every Gamblers Anonymous Group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
8. Gamblers Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
9. Gamblers Anonymous, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
10. Gamblers Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the Gamblers Anonymous name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, films, television and Internet.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of the Gamblers Anonymous program, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
The Gamblers Anonymous 12 Steps of Recovery
Once you are ready to start working the recovery steps. Find a sponsor who will help you work and practice the 12 Steps of Recovery
What is Sponsorship?
In Gamblers Anonymous, sponsorship is when a more experienced member who has worked the steps already, helps another newer member recover from their gambling addiction.
Sponsorship is a long-term commitment that can help both the sponsor and the person being sponsored to over come one of the most insidious addictions by sharing and practicing the 12 Steps of Recovery.
A sponsor should encourage attendance at meetings, ensuring that the sponsored member understands what the program is about, and should be empathetic and available to guide you through the 12 Steps of Recovery.
A sponsor must be aware of his/her own role, strengths and limitations: always remembering that it is the fellowship that aids recovery and not their egos. Although sponsorship primarily helps the person being sponsored, it also helps the sponsor in his/her own recovery journey.
Do I need a sponsor?
You can not recover on your own, sponsors are vital to guiding you through and helping you practice the 12 Steps of Recovery.
However, it is entirely up to you who you choose to ask to be your sponsor and if you even get a sponsor.
Whilst it is highly recommended to get a sponsor and start working the steps as soon as possible after your first 90 days, some of our members have no desire to complete step work and that is perfectly fine, it is your recovery journey and you complete it at your own pace and how you fill comfortable.
Who picks the sponsor?
You do. It's recommended you ask someone with recovery and in whom you have trust, as you will be confiding which may be private or sensitive.
To your sponsor you will bring all problems – large or small, to the best of you ability.
It is advisable, that your sponsor be the same gender as you.
Your sponsor will not give you all the answers, but offer you alternative thoughts or options which will enable you to make good decisions nor will they be able to do the work for you.
More information about Sponsorship can be found in the Sponsorship Booklet which is available literature at your group meeting.
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These events and special occasions are a great way to meet other members and find people you connect with and maybe even find your sponsor.
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Gamblers Anonymous NSW
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(02) 9726 6625