Originally posted by paul315
My Answers to Gamblers Anonymous’ Twenty Questions
… 18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?
Yes, not any arguments, but the disappointments and frustrations of the gambling
in it’s self causes me to want to gamble more.
Good morning all, and particularly to the new members.
There have many new faces showing up here during the beginning of the holiday season and I have been remiss in welcoming you; so I now give a sincere welcome to each of you. I have posted many times that you are the most important people on this site; you are reminding us that the ways of gambling have not changed and that the outcome is still the same – we do not have to go back into that abbess to see for ourselves.
And just as you have helped us, maybe we can help you. You will find here that there is a better way to live and that recovery is possible. You will also see that it is not easy, but, once you have accepted the facts so thoughtfully outlined in the first steps of the Gamblers Anonymous Recovery Program, you will know that it is possible. There are other programs for recovery that help as well, but these first three principles are the foundation of the beginning:
THE RECOVERY PROGRAM
Here are the steps which are a program of recovery:
1. We admitted that 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.
This season brings many new members because of the frustrations of our failure to provide for happier celebrations and a better New Year. We realize that gambling has taken this from us; has not only robbed us, but has denied our families the happiness of these occasions. One of the best things about this time of frustration, disappointments and loss, is that we can use this low point in our lives as a turning point. It is easier to start on the road to recovery when we are down than when things are going seemingly well. Take advantage of it and turn your life around for the future that living gambling free will allow.
GA also provides a list of 20 Questions to help us see that we have crossed over the line and have become addicted to compulsive gambling. When answering these questions, I answered yes to all, save the one about good fortune giving me a reason to gamble – I was not experiencing any good fortune at the time. However, since I have been gambling free I have begun to experience this and am also able to now answer "No" to Question 18 above (it is the only one that speaks of today, and not the past). Thanks to my recovery; to the people in rooms like the ones here and at GA; to my Higher Power; and, my not gambling for anything, I no longer have to struggle with these urges. The barriers that I have in place, and the changes to my character and lifestyle have allowed me to combat such times and face the fact that hard times and adversities happen – that the things that I was trying to escape from is part of life and hiding from them in a casino would not change or relieve them. That gambling only added to and intensified my problems. Recovery does not happen over night, but, the problems that gambling will cause does stop immediately once we make the choice not to gamble for anything.
In closing, again welcome to GT, a place that you to can learn to answer No to question 18, and have a better holiday in the ones to come.
God’s speed, use your Higher Power to guide and strengthen you.LarryThanks to my Higher Power, My 3G’s – God, GA, and GT, "Day Two Is Another Day Behind" and with the help from all , I will continue to remain gambling free.