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Sponsorship
New members are encouraged to ‘find a sponsor’ as soon as
possible after entering the Gamblers Anonymous fellowship. With many new members
the first thought that pops into mind is why?
New members often enter the Gamblers Anonymous program with
their mind full of why questions: why me?, why did it happen?, why couldn’t
I control my gambling?, why couldn’t I stop on my own?, and many others.
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A sponsor’s initial responsibility is to help the new
member to understand the Gamblers Anonymous program and how it will work. This
may involve explaining the practices and procedures that will be encountered
when attending meetings, and dispelling the misunderstandings and fears that
many newcomers have. It is easier to get an explanation, from one individual in
private, why something is done a certain way, than it is to ask a room full of
strangers.
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A sponsor becomes a tangible link for the newcomer to the
Gamblers Anonymous program. Sometimes newcomers encounter problems that cannot
wait until a regular meeting for resolution, but need immediate attention. A
sponsor is available to allow the member to share the problem and to provide
guidance in its resolution. The sponsor’s role is to assist in the newcomer’s
recovery, not to do it for them.
Many gamblers have shut out everyone and everything while
gambling. To recover from this addiction members need to let Gamblers Anonymous
in. Do it for yourself; not by yourself - choose a sponsor.
Gamblers Anonymous is described
as a fellowship of men and women who share their experience strength and hope
with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to
recover from a gambling problem.
Attending meetings regularly, and sharing is one of the ways that new members
can begin the recovery process. Many new members have experienced
difficulty sharing at meetings, and encounter even greater difficulty when
the issues are of a deep and personal nature. It is these times when the new
member requires someone in whom they can confide. This is the role of the
sponsor.
A sponsor is a member of Gamblers Anonymous who has been in the program
"long enough to acquire a mature understanding of the recovery program. A
sponsor should be someone in whom you have trust, as you will be confiding to
them matters which you may not wish to disclose in a meeting."
A sponsor should be chosen as soon as possible after entering the Gamblers
Anonymous program. The sponsor should be someone whom the new member can relate
to; someone who may have had some of the experiences the new member had
while gambling, or any other aspect upon which a bond may be established, and
not simply because they are a 'nice person'.
A sponsor will make every effort to be available to the new member to offer
alternative thoughts and options on the issues that are troubling a new member.
Sponsors assist in making necessary decisions, but do not provide solutions.
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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!
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