September is Recovery Month … for the others too! (Post 109)
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2018
Post 109
September is Recovery Month … for the others too!
Why do I need to attend a meeting? I’m not the one who lost our savings. I don’t keep all hours of the night in unknown places. I go to family gatherings and certainly don’t miss important events! Lies, lies, lies: that’s all I hear! Commonly, these are the thoughts and words spoken by the others – family members and friends impacted by a love one’s disordered gambling. They are often expressed when a person attends their first few meetings of Gam-Anon – the support organization for family and friends of problem gamblers.
Of course! Anger, fear, anxiety, denial and even guilt, sadly, have taken over those highly impacted by the addiction of a loved one or close associate. Most likely, reality in their world is deeply changed from what it had been. A stranger has now entered the relationship. Communication is strained, guarded, and often filled with two-way accusations. Addiction’s illness orchestrates their lives. The gambler’s compulsion has to bet. The others obsess over the known and unknown dangers of instability and distrust. Will their lives ever return to “normal” again?
The others upon first attending the fellowship of Gam-Anon may be shocked to hear folks talking about their individual recoveries: that is, recovery from living a life filled with fear, anger, denial, and guilt. The members speak, instead, of serenity, faith in their High Power’s wisdom, and trusting themselves. There’s acceptance of reality – and courage to forge ahead following the 12 Steps to Recovery. Instead of denying the dangers of ever present addiction, they make tough decisions to preserve their family and their own sanity. The “what ifs” of an anxiety-ridden world no longer reign in a new one-day-at-a-time present. The compulsive gambler may live a secret life of addiction; but the Gam-Anon member works his/her program of serenity to deal with the concrete realities of survival and recovery.
Gam-Anon International Service Office has a treasure trove of great reads for persons impacted by a loved one’s disordered gambling; and their 52 Gam-Anon Meditations is superb! Check out www.gam-anon.org, email at gamanonoffice@gam-anon.org, or call (718) 352-1671.
One more recommendation: the Indiana Council on Problem Gambling will be presenting the INDIANA FALL DISORDERED GAMBLING TRAINING EVENT FOCUSING ON THE FAMILY on October 24-25 at the Lawrenceburg (Indiana) Event Center. This is a FREE event offering up to 13 CEU’s. Keynote speaker is Bea Aikens, founder of Lanie’s Hope, a national advocacy group dedicated to illuminating and humanizing the disease of disordered gambling. For registration information, call (317) 632-1364 or e-mail christinagray@indianaproblemgambling.org.
Registration will be open soon and space is limited for this excellent conference!
May this month of September be RECOVERY month for ALL!
Blessings,
Rev. Janet Jacobs, CCGSO
Founding Director
Gambling Recovery Ministries
https://www.grmumc.org/
For more information on problem gambling and recovery issues, visit:
www.indianaproblemgambling.org
www.ipgap.indiana.edu
www.mdproblemgambling.com
www.gamblersanonymous.org
www.gam-anon.org
www.kycpg.org
www.pgnohio.org
www.calproblemgambling.org
www.christsd.com
www.masscompulsivegambling.org
www.mentalhealthministries.net
Posted by Gambling Recovery Ministries at 11:51 AM