Overview of 12-Step Program for Gambling Addiction 

As legalized online sports betting continues to grow in popularity with rapid expansion from state to state, so too do cases of gambling addiction. The necessity for the community and services provided by support groups cannot be understated. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem, group support can signal the reminder that nobody is in this alone. Learning more about 12-step recovery programs could either be the first big step on the road to recovery or at least create the awareness needed to spot the problem in yourself or a loved one and get the necessary help. 

What are 12-step programs?

There are multiple types of 12-step programs for addiction recovery. When it comes to gambling, one popular option is Gamblers Anonymous, a fellowship of men and women who come together with the shared desire to overcome gambling addiction. GA allows members to form connections through vulnerable exchanges, sharing of experiences and strength fighting the daily battle against compulsive gambling in hopes of conquering their addiction and helping others progress on the road to recovery.  

Gamblers Anonymous leaves joining to individual discretion; the only requirement to become a member is a commitment to quit gambling. This fellowship is rooted in the acceptance that compulsive gambling is an illness that can be cured with spiritual guidance so long as members exhibit a willingness to get better.  

GA is an incredibly powerful and helpful tool for many across America, but it is not the perfect fit for everyone. The religious components are a positive for some, but a turn-off for others who may not see it as aligned with their beliefs.

How do you know if you need a group program?

Ultimately, only you can make this decision. Anyone who wishes to stop gambling can join a group, regardless of whether you have lost $100 in your lifetime or $100,000. It’s never too late, but many people join upon admitting defeat. Unfortunately, submitting to compulsive gambling may come only after having experienced several issues.

If you gamble and fear you could experience any of the above, or if you or someone you know is suffering, it may be time to seek out help. Of course, the affected individual must be the one to accept his or her own problem, decide to join a group and dedicate themselves to changing. 

The 12 Steps

1. Admit to being powerless over gambling - You have lost control over your life.

2. Believe in a power greater than yourself - Belief that healing comes with the help of a higher power, as you understand it. 

3. Submit to a power greater than yourself - Turn your will and life over to the care of a higher power.

4. Examine all parts of yourself - Conduct a moral and financial inventory of yourself – the good, the bad, the ugly.

5. Admit to wrongs - Admit to yourself and to another human being the exact nature of your wrongs.

6. Readiness to cleanse - Beyond the acceptance of your wrongs, yearn to remove character defects.

7. Submit to God (of your interpretation) - Humbly communicate with a higher power to remove your shortcomings.

8. Write amends - Make a list of people you have harmed and become willing to make amends to them all.

9. Make direct amends - Confront people you have wronged wherever possible, except when doing so would injure them or others.

10. Ongoing personal inventory - Continue to examine your actions and admit when you are wrong.

11. Spiritual commitment - Pray and meditate to improve conscious contact with God (of your interpretation), praying for the knowledge and power to carry out His will. 

12. Principles in practice - Make an effort to practice these principles in all affairs, attempting to carry the message to other compulsive gamblers.

Does it cost money to join?

Gamblers Anonymous is free to join at the start. If you wish to elevate your membership with additional material, supplementing your membership with GA literature, books, etc., does come with a cost. Members also may be encouraged to donate to the cause at some point.

Other Options for Support Groups

Clinician-led group therapy

Clinician-led group therapy can help individuals learn from others and realize that they are not alone, while introducing solutions from licensed therapists that they may not yet have considered.

There can often be confusion, however, about what clinician-led group therapy is and how it differs from peer-led or coach-led groups such as GA. Both offer value and can be incredibly impactful, but they serve different purposes. Understanding those differences can help you make informed choices about your recovery.

Clinician-led group therapy is facilitated by a master’s-level trained clinician with expertise treating addiction, trauma and unique forms of behavioral health. These groups are intentionally structured to promote safety, consistency, and emotional regulation.

Key features of clinician-led group therapy include:

• A trained clinical facilitator who guides the group process

• Clear guidelines for engagement to reduce triggering or harmful interactions

• A balance of education, skill-building and emotional processing

• Clinical oversight to address relapse risk, co-occurring disorders and emotional distress

These guidelines exist to help group members feel safe, supported and understood in a structured group setting.

Clinical groups often use task-based modalities, such as reflective exercises, coping skills practice and at times forms of psychotherapy specifically for addiction. These tasks are usually followed by a structured processing discussion in which members can share personal insights, struggles and progress.

This approach can help members not only verbalize thoughts about their addiction, but also gain a deeper understanding of how it developed, how it’s maintained and how to interrupt the gambling addiction cycle.

An effective gambling addiction treatment plan may include both individual counseling and clinician-led group therapy. Individual therapy allows individuals to explore their personal history, triggers, trauma and emotional patterns. Clinician-led group therapy then reinforces those insights through connection and practice. Together, these approaches can expedite wellness and build resilience.

Birches Health is the leading gambling addiction provider in the United States, offering both individual counseling and clinician-led group therapy. The Birches online care program is available in all 50 states, and costs can be covered by insurance or state funding for eligible residents. To speak with a care specialist from Birches, there are multiple options available:

Book an appointment

Call 833-483-3838

Email help@bircheshealth.com