WHAT IS GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS?
I have never been to GA meetings? What can I expect?
First, Gamblers Anonymous Meetings in Georgia or in your state are a welcoming experience. You will feel a common bond. You HAVE a common bond of knowing the struggle of gambling addiction. Everyone in the GA meetings is trying to stop gambling.
WHAT IF OTHERS AT THE GA MEETINGS DON’T HAVE MY TYPE OF GAMBLING PROBLEM?
Regardless of your gaming or gambling of choice, you will soon learn the pain of a problem with gambling is universal. Most with a gambling addiction have felt depression -sometimes severe depression, shame and guilt and despondence after losing a large amount of money or realizing they are in the hole. Certainly, GA meetings members understand the exhaustion that results from trying to conceal a gambling addiction from family, spouses and children. The impact on families is enormous.
In short, whether you have a lottery or video poker slots addiction, sports, online sports addiction, the chase to find casino gambling in Georgia and having to travel out of state, 
online poker, day trading or speculative trading…there are many other other activities that are defined as gambling addiction. If you are willing to stop and have lost or fear losing everything, locate one of the GA meetings at gamblersinrecovery.com
HOW CAN I LEARN HOW TO PLAY RESPONSIBLY?
When gambling is an addiction, it is a disease. It is not bad behavior, though bad behavior can result from a gambling problem. It is wise to not tell a family member with a gambling addiction, ‘please play responsibly’. Addiction is a serious illness that requires ongoing treatment. Therefore getting help and treatment is the responsible decision to make. All chronic illnesses including addiction are treated with the goal of total remission. Total abstinence. If one is able to engage in controlled or responsible gaming, then they are likely not suffering from a gambling addiction. The bottom line is if you feel your gambling is problematic, it probably is. Take the gamblers anonymous 20-question self assessment. Attend GA meetings if the results show gambling is causing problems in your life. Be assured the Georgia Council on Problem Gambling is a dedicated team that has been successful in helping many gamblers recover and put their lives and family back together.
The Georgia Council on Problem Gambling: Georgia’s Source for Unique, Relevant and Breaking Information on the Social Impacts of Gambling.
