Getting Started
Recovery 101
What is recovery? What can you expect in the beginning? What are the first actions that can lead to your new life?
We have seen many men and women recover from compulsive gambling. They came from every walk of life. Some were young. Some were old. Some had lost little. Others had lost nearly everything.
Recovery did not come to them all at once. It came a day at a time.
The path is not always easy, but it is simple. If you are willing to take certain steps and ask for help, a new life is possible.
The Basics
What Recovery Really Is
Recovery is more than putting down the bet.
Many of us stopped gambling for a time, only to return again. We found that abstinence alone was not enough. We needed a change in the way we lived, thought, and related to others.
Recovery is the process of building a life in which gambling no longer has a place.
For most of us, this meant three things. First, we stopped gambling completely. Second, we sought the help of others through meetings, sponsorship, counseling, or treatment. Third, we began the inward work of honesty, humility, and spiritual growth.
Recovery begins the moment you stop gambling. It does not begin next month. It begins today.
Most of us could not do it alone. Some of us stumbled along the way. Yet relapse did not mean defeat, provided we were willing to begin again.
In time, the obsession to gamble grew weaker. The same mind that once led us to destruction began to lead us toward hope.
Early Recovery
What to Expect in the First 90 Days
The first ninety days are often the most difficult. During this time, many of us experienced the following.
Cravings
The urge to gamble may come suddenly and with great force. But no urge lasts forever. If you call another person, attend a meeting, take a walk, or pray, the craving will pass.
Financial Trouble
The debts do not disappear when gambling stops. But they stop growing. With honesty and patience, many of us found a way to set our affairs in order.
Emotional Ups and Downs
Fear, shame, anger, and restlessness are common in the beginning. These feelings are normal. They lessen as recovery grows.
Strained Relationships
Trust is not rebuilt in a day. It returns slowly as others see honesty and steady action.
Better Sleep
Many of us began sleeping better within a few weeks. The mind became quieter. The fog began to lift.
Hope
As the compulsion loosened its grip, we began to see that life could be different. For many of us, this was the first real hope we had felt in years.
Meetings
How to Begin
Recovery meetings are free and available at all hours. You do not need to register. You do not need to tell your full name. You do not need to speak. You may simply listen.
Attend several meetings. Each group has its own spirit. Find one where you feel understood.
Many members suggest attending one meeting a day for ninety days. This practice, often called "90 in 90," has helped countless men and women gain a firm footing in recovery.
In time, you may wish to ask another member to be your sponsor. A sponsor is someone who has traveled this path before and is willing to walk beside you.
Treatment
Other Forms of Help
Meetings are a powerful source of recovery, but they are not the only help available. Many people also benefit from professional treatment.
Outpatient Therapy
A counselor trained in gambling addiction can help you understand your patterns and build healthier ways of living.
Intensive Outpatient Programs
These programs offer several sessions each week while you continue living at home.
Residential Treatment
Some need a place away from daily pressures and temptations. These programs provide round-the-clock support.
Recovery Meetings
Peer support is available at no cost and can strengthen any treatment plan.
The Short Version
Five Things That Help Most
Stop Gambling Completely
For the compulsive gambler, moderation rarely succeeds. Our experience shows that abstinence is the safer course.
Go to Meetings
Meetings place us among others who understand our struggle. There we find hope and practical help.
Get a Sponsor
One person sharing his experience can make all the difference.
Be Honest About Money
Financial recovery begins when we face the truth. There is help available for this as well.
Give It Time
Recovery is a process. The cravings lessen. The mind becomes clearer. Finances improve. Relationships heal. This may not happen all at once, but it does happen.
If you are willing to begin today, there is every reason to believe that a better life awaits you.
There is a meeting available right now.
Free, online, anonymous. No signup required.