If You Have a Gambling Problem
Most of you are here to learn about Blackjack so you can not lose and
maybe win a little at the tables. However, there are some of you who
might have a gambling problem. This page is for you. Just for you. I
want to direct you to get help. If you are a family member of a
gambling addict, there is help and advice for you as well. Below will be
links and phone numbers to Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon.
GA is for you the gambling addict, and Gam-Anon is for your family.
There are many similarities between a gambling addict and an alcoholic.
Alcoholism is a disease, and so is gambling addiction. You cannot help
yourself anymore. It has control of your life. It is taking your life away
and there is nothing you can do by yourself to get control. You need
two support groups to help you stop gambling. You can never be
cured, but you can live a normal life with the two support groups.
Who are the support groups?
God the Father, Jesus His Son, and The Holy Spirit are the first
support group. The second group is Gamblers Anonymous. GA is a
group of other Gambling Addicts just like you. You might be able to
kick the gambling habit without GA, but not without GOD. God has
lifted all of us from sin and he can lift you too. You must believe in Him
and His love for you. He wants you to overcome your addiction, to get
your life back in order, and avoid gambling forever.
This may sound strange coming from a guy who wrote a book and a
website on a gambling game. The truth is, I don't want you to be
addicted to gambling. I don't want to encourage you to gamble. I
write to help people play better, to beat the casinos, but not to
become addicted to gambling. Gambling is not life. It's just a game.
Life is a family, a home, a job, and love of them all. Please keep your
gaming in perspective. If you are here because you were curious but
aren't addicted yet, then let these words be words of caution to you.
You could become addicted. Don't say, "It could never happen to me."
It can happen to anyone, especially those with addictive personalities.
If you have an addictive personality, you should stay away from
gambling.
Here is your first link to GA. They have a page called Twenty
Questions which is a way for you to see if you are a compulsive
gambler. Take the test. Be honest with yourself when you answer
them. Read and answer them all. You will then be able to recognize if
you have a gambling problem. Admitting you are addicted is the first
step to recovery. Don't wait until you have hit bottom before you get
help.
Twenty Questions
The next step I want you to take is to pray. I want you to pray to
God for help to overcome this addiction. He will guide you every step
of the way. He will always be there. He will give you the strength you
need to overcome your addiction. When you pray, you will be talking
to the only help there is, and the only help you will need. He is
mightier than any addiction, and he's on your side. He sent his Son,
Jesus, to save the world, and that includes you. Jesus said, "I have
come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly." You can
have a normal life, free from addiction if you put your trust in Him.
God sent His Spirit to be your Comforter. The Holy Spirit is God Who
dwells inside of you. Ask God to let Jesus come into your life, and He
will. You will get a warm feeling when he does. That's the Holy Spirit
entering your body. You will have the strength to beat your addiction
now.
The next link is to GA. Go there for answers about your addiction.
You are going to have to know about your disease before you can
totally abstain from gambling. You will also want to help others with
the disease as well. Join their support group and you will also get help
and advice from those who have been there. Later, you can help
others. May God bless you and help you to recover.
Gamblers Anonymous
1-888-GA-HELPS or 1-888-424-3577
Gam-Anon
1-718-352-1671
