Addiction Cycle

 

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Addiction Cycle

Compulsive gambling is primarily an addiction to action. 

The body of a compulsive gambler produces adrenaline and endorphins whether winning or losing. These are known as Fight or Flight drugs. The constant 'fight or flight' feeling is what makes this disease so unpredictable. 

Addiction has been described as being cunning, baffling and powerful. The gambling addiction is very similar to other addictions in that it requires the same three participants to be present to make the cycle work. 

Addicts attending 12 step recovery meetings are more apt to find recovery from this addiction than those who simply read up on it and "do it on their own." Working the solutions and way of life suggestions discussed at GA meetings are a good way to recover.

The Addiction Cycle

This short example explains briefly the roles of people that are involved with compulsive gamblers. People may be involved voluntarily or involuntarily.

  1. The Victim - there is always a victim in any addicted situation. sometimes it is a family member, sometimes it is the addict, sometimes it is the employer, counselor or friend. Often they trade positions.
  2. The Enabler - a helpful person who kindheartedly bails out the addict over and over again. This destroys any self esteem the addict may have scraped together and consistently prolongs the facing of the ultimate consequences, which is a necessary ingredient for recovery. These folks could benefit greatly by attendance at Gam-Anon meetings which address the disease in the codependent participants.
  3. The Persecutor - an individual who is prone to ragging on the addict, bringing up past issues, making sure that the situation is intolerable for everyone present. Although confrontation is a necessary part of recovery blame, is an entirely different issue.

These three participants may change faces and involved individuals may from time to time change roles. These roles are always present in any addicted situation. In order to arrest gambling the cycle needs to be interrupted. 

 

Regular attendance at GA meetings and using the GA 12 Recovery Steps are the best treatment for recovering gamblers/ adrenalin addicts. 

The GA recovery steps are adapted with permission from the AA twelve steps, which were written in 1937 from an accumulation of spiritual principles from various recovery and religious organizations. 

These steps are non-denominational thereby opening  GA membership to all races, religions,  professions and social levels. 

Visiting Victoria BC? Stay at the Gingerbread Cottage Bed and Breakfast Gourmet Food, Cute rooms, Recovery atmosphere!

Gamblers Anonymous membership is open to anyone

  who has a desire to stop gambling compulsively. 

There are no dues or fees for GA membership.

 

 

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Gamblers Anonymous,  Victoria BC  Canada