Gam-Anon/Gam-A-Teen for spouses and children of problem gamblers.
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Gambling addiction can be a devastating problem not only for the individual struggling with it but also for their loved ones. Gam-Anon is a 12 step support group for family and friends of those struggling with a gambling addiction. This article will discuss the history of Gam-Anon, the 12 steps and traditions, the meetings, and the benefits of being a part of this supportive community.
History of Gam-Anon
Gam-Anon was founded in 1957 by the wife of a compulsive gambler in Los Angeles, California. It began as a support group for spouses, but it quickly grew to include other family members and friends. The organization was initially called Gam-Anon, but in 1989, the name was changed to Gam-Anon Family Groups to better reflect the inclusivity of the organization.
The program is based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, and it follows the same philosophy of mutual aid and support. Today, Gam-Anon has over 150 groups across the United States, as well as in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
The 12 Steps and Traditions of Gam-Anon
The 12 steps of Gam-Anon are similar to those of Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12 step programs. The steps are as follows:
We admitted we were powerless over the gambling problem and that our lives had become unmanageable.
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of this Power of our own understanding.
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Admitted to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Were entirely ready to have these defects of character removed.
Humbly asked our Power to remove our shortcomings.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with our Power of our own understanding, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs.