Gam-Anon: Main Goals, Values, and Support for US Gamblers
By John Isaac,Editor at online-gambling.com
John Isaac
Editor at online-gambling.com
Gam-Anon is a fellowship of individuals offering support to family members, friends, and loved ones of problem gamblers. The organization follows a 12-step recovery program similar to that of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Read this article to learn about the vital role the organization plays in helping families cope with the challenges posed by gambling addiction.
Gam-Anon – Overview
Founded in 1957 in Los Angeles, Gam-Anon, often stylized as “Gam-Anon Family Groups”, is a non-profit worldwide organization. Through its main principles, supportive community, and emphasis on self-care, it provides family members and friends with the tools to cope, heal, and grow. By focusing on understanding and resilience, Gam-Anon plays a crucial role in overwhelming gambling addiction.
| Name of Organisation | Gam-Anon |
|---|---|
| Address | PO Box 307, Massapequa Park, NY 11762 |
| Tel. Number/Hotline | 718-352-1671 |
| gamanonoffice@gam-anon.org | |
| Website | www.gam-anon.org |
| Core Tasks | Provides information for the public about problem gambling |
| Support Groups | Yes |
| Meetings | Yes |
Gam-Anon offers a safe and confidential environment for people to share their experiences, learn coping strategies, and gain insights from others facing similar challenges. In this way, the organization plays a crucial role in providing assistance, understanding, and a sense of community to those affected by the negative impacts of gambling.
Vision & Mission
Gam-Anon’s mission is well-aligned with responsible gambling, emphasizing the importance of self-care for its members. Recognizing that addiction can create a whirlwind of emotional turmoil, the organization encourages individuals to prioritize their own well-being. By focusing on their own growth and happiness, they can become better equipped to support their loved ones and navigate the challenges that arise.
Gam-Anon – Goals and Values
As a trusted and reliable organization, Gam-Anon has special core values that set the basics of its business. Any of these values aims to help addicted players recognize and accept their responsible gambling problem and find its proper solution. You can find the main Gam-Anon core values listed below:
- Acceptance – Acknowledging the reality of the situation and understanding that the problem gambler’s actions are beyond the control of the family members.
- Surrender – Recognizing that attempts to control or change the gambler are futile and letting go of that need for control.
- Taking Care of Oneself – Focusing on personal well-being, interests, and hobbies to regain a sense of identity and agency.
- Building Healthy Boundaries – Learning to set and maintain appropriate limits in relationships with the problem gambler.
- Supporting without Enabling – Distinguishing between support and enabling behaviors that inadvertently perpetuate the gambling cycle.
Recognized as a reputable institution fighting gambling problems, Gam-Anon relies on its values, which represent the mission of the organization. To reach out to the community more easily, there are various tools available 24/7 for people in need, such as Gam-Anon live chat, Gam-Anon conference events, zoom meetings, and others, held according to the policies of the responsible gambling in the US.
Organizational Structure
Depending on your problems and concerns, you can use Gam-Anon several key ways to help you. The next sections of our article will provide you with all the details you need to reach out to the organization, including the Gam-Anon hotline number, available at all times.
As already mentioned, the organization operates on a set of guiding principles, much like the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Although they don’t provide a cure, Gam-Anon’s steps offer a roadmap for personal growth, self-awareness, and healing. Members are encouraged to work with a sponsor, an experienced member of Gam-Anon, providing companionship and support.
Gam-Anon – Programs It Supports
Whenever you need help, Gam-Anon is ready to assist you with different programs US players can benefit from. Having analyzed your problem, the organization gives you an opportunity to choose the option that suits you best. These include Gam-Anon zoom meetings, online chats, conferences, and other options featured on the Gam-Anon website.
- Supportive Community – This program provides a safe and understanding environment for individuals to share their feelings without judgment. Members listen, empathize, and relate to each other’s experiences, creating a strong sense of camaraderie.
- Education – It offers education about gambling addiction, its causes, and its side effects. Understanding the nature of addiction helps participants detach themselves emotionally and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
- Coping Strategies – The 12-step program encourages members to work on their own emotional well-being and take care of themselves. They learn to establish boundaries, practice self-care, and gain the tools needed to navigate challenging situations.
- Empowerment – Through this program, loved ones regain a sense of control over their lives. They learn to detach from the actions of the addicted person, focus on their own growth, and make positive choices.
- Hope and Healing – The program instills a message of hope. Members share stories of recovery and progress, providing inspiration to others who may be struggling.
Each of the above-mentioned programs is created to fit the needs of US players. They are based on similar principles and strategies, allowing you to choose the best for your needs. In case you cannot visit a Gam-Anon location in person, you can participate in the program via the Gam-Anon phone number, chat, or e-mail.
Self-Help & Assistance
Alongside the different types of Gam-Anon programs, the organization also provides you with various tools allowing you to help yourself and evaluate your current affection for gambling. Additionally, if you think it’s too early to participate in a program, Gam-Anon can give you professional advice on how to proceed with your issue. Some of its tools and methods are listed below.
- Meetings – They are held between two members only. One of them has been affected by a person with a gambling problem. You can participate in Gam-Anon virtual meetings or at in person.
- Telephone and E-mail – These tools are used for keeping in touch with other members between meetings.
- Literature – Members of the organization read one and the same literature about recovery, personal growth, and Gam-Anon experience.
- Writing – Affected members are encouraged to write about their feelings and hidden emotions on the way to recovery.
- Sponsorships – Old members in the program help the new ones by offering them trust and understanding.
- Service – Works on the principle of the Twelve Step Recovery, giving back what the program has given to you.
- Pressure Relief Meeting and Budget Meeting – These tools help the affected gambler relieve financial pressure and manage their budget properly.
- Anonymity – Gam-Anon guarantees anonymity to every member affected by gambling addiction and believes it is vital for all available programs.
All of the tools listed above, aim to ensure flexibility, professional assistance, and adequate information to US players with gambling problems, including their families and friends. So, if you think that you or a friend of yours might be addicted to gambling, these are the necessary means to take the first step in the right direction.
Why Involvement and Active Participation Matters
We all know that gambling addiction can lead to very bad consequences. For that reason, everyone who’s affected should take appropriate measures on time. Whether it’s through a Gam-Anon online meeting or any other identical responsible gambling organization, there’s always a way out of the problem. Being self-conscious and acting fast is crucial to solving it and escaping bigger issues ahead.
Benefits of Reaching Out to Gam-Anon
Looking for help on time is of great importance for anyone in need, especially for their mental state and well-being. That’s why contacting organizations like Gam-Anon is a must in such situations. To show you the main advantages of reaching out to the responsible gambling community, we listed the main benefits of seeking help from Gam-Anon.
- Recoup financial losses.
- Reduce stress.
- Focus on more meaningful things.
- Learn from the experiences of others.
- Find a non-judgmental environment.
- Gain personal growth.
As you can see, there’s no doubt that it is worth contacting Gam-Anon to achieve these goals and much more. The organization has assisted many people in the United States to solve their gambling problems. So, the only thing left for you is to find Gam-Anon’s contact details and get in touch with its team.
Other National Problem Gambling Organizations
As we already mentioned above, Gam-Anon is not the only organization dealing with gambling addiction problems in the US. Having checked on the Internet, there are some other communities working on such problems and you can contact them. Check out the list of organizations committed to helping players with gambling problems in the table below.
| National Council on Problem Gambling | www.ncpgambling.org |
|---|---|
| Gamblers Anonymous | www.gamblersanonymous.org |
| International Center for Responsible Gaming | www.icrg.org |
| 1-800-Gambler | www.1800gambler.net |
| Gamtalk | www.gamtalk.org |
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | www.988lifeline.org |
Responsible gambling organizations provide addicted gamblers and their families with different communication tools, hotlines, live chats, and emails, or arrange meetings for US players in need. Each one is ready to offer the necessary information and support, depending on your needs. All you need to do is to get in touch with the one that suits you most.
Gam-Anon Meetings by State
Gam-Anon organizes meetings in various US states, all with one and the same purpose – to serve as a support network for individuals dealing with the fallout of a loved one’s gambling addiction. Meetings offer a space for attendees to share their stories, discuss their fears and hopes, and receive non-judgmental understanding from others.
A key place for organizing Gam-Anon meetings is the state of Orlando, which offers a different kind of refuge – one of understanding, empathy, and healing. By sharing experiences, following the 12-step program, and fostering a sense of community, the meetings in Orlando stand as a testament to the power of support in the face of adversity.
Conclusion: Gam-Anon Helps Problem Gamblers
In this article, we outlined the methods and strategies the Gam-Anon organization uses to help players with gambling problems. By fostering a sense of community, providing education, teaching coping strategies, and promoting empowerment, its programs offer a lifeline to individuals who may otherwise feel lost and alone. Go through our article about Gam-Anon to learn about its tools and the support it provides.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the last section of our article, we included the most frequently asked questions about Gam-Anon. Here, you can find more details about the various methods and tools the organization uses in its programs. The jump links will take you to the topic you need.
1. What is Gam-Anon?
Gam-Anon is a non-profit organization, which helps individuals impacted by someone else's gambling problem to find ways to cope, heal, and regain control over their lives. By sharing their experiences, strength, and hope, members find solace in knowing they are not alone in their struggles.
2. How can Gam-Anon help problem gamblers?
Gam-Anon helps problem gamblers and their loved ones by implying general values from real-life. These include accepting the reality, recognizing the gambler's attempts to control the situation, focusing on personal well-being, setting limits, and distinguishing support and enabling behavior.
3. What is Gam-Anon's mission?
The main mission of Gam-Anon is emphasizing the importance of self-care for its members. The organization aims to encourage individuals to aim for their well-being and personal growth, giving greater support to their loved ones. In this way, they will be ready to face the challenges on the way to recovery.
4. What tools does Gam-Anon offer to problem gamblers?
Gam-Anon uses various tools to help problem gamblers. These include Gam-Aon literature, meetings, phone & e-mail assistance, writing, and others. Each of these tools aims to help members share their concerns and express their feelings related to the problem they need to solve.
5. Are there other responsible gambling organizations available in the US?
Yes, there are. Apart from Gam-Anon, there are other responsible gambling organizations available in the US. The most popular names among them are 1-800-Gambler, Gamblers Anonymous, National Council on Problem Gambling, GamTalk, and others. Each of them is ready to assist you in solving your addiction problem.
References
- Gam-Anon US Meeting Directory, Gam-Anon, Retrieved September 25, 2023
- Zion, M.M., Tracy, E. and Abell, N., June 1991. Examining the relationship between spousal involvement in Gam-Anon and relapse behaviors in pathological gamblers, Journal of Gambling Studies, 7(2), pp.117-131, Retrieved September 25, 2023
- Petry, N.M. and Armentano, C., August 1, 1999. Prevalence, assessment, and treatment of pathological gambling: A review , Psychiatric services, 50(8), pp.1021-1027, Retrieved September 25, 2023
- Mary West, May 11, 2022. What to know about the 12-step program, MedicalNewsToday, Retrieved September 25, 2023.
- Lesieur, H.R., March 1998. Costs and treatment of pathological gambling. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 556(1), pp.153-171, Retrieved September 25, 2023