For immediate support with problem gambling, call us at
1-800-GAMBLER.
1-800-GAMBLER.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are the Problem Gambling Council of Maryland and Gamblers Anonymous the same organization?
No. Although the Problem Gambling Council of Maryland and Gamblers Anonymous are dedicated to helping those with gambling problems, the two organizations are not formally connected.
Q: Will anyone else ever find out that I called the Problem Gambling Council of Maryland Helpline?
No. The Problem Gambling Council of Maryland Helpline,1-800-GAMBLER, is strictly confidential.
Q: How is the Problem Gambling Council of Maryland funded?
As of now, the council is strictly funded by organizations and individuals. Hopefully state funding is the next step.
Q: Do problem gamblers or their family members receive treatment at the Problem Gambling Council of Maryland?
No. Treatment takes place at various treatment centers. The council provides problem gamblers with information about their disease and refers them to the appropriate places for help, including treatment facilities and self help groups.
Q: Does the Problem Gambling Council of Maryland have a fax line?
Yes, (410)685-2307.
Q: Do you have a listing of the GA meetings in my area of the state?
Yes. It is updated often. We will be glad to mail you a copy or you can click the GA/GAMANON link on the left side of the page.
Q: Is there someplace else a person can go to get help for gambling instead of a 12 step program?
Yes. The state has counselors that are specially trained in problem gambling. We will be glad to give you the address and phone number of the counselors nearest to your area. Just e-mail us here and let us know what information you are interested in recieving.
Q: Can you help me get my money back or loan me money?
No. We can, however, help you if you desire to stop gambling. We will be glad to talk to you and your family. Just e-mail us here with your information.
Q: Is there a treatment center that specializes in treating gambling problems?
Yes. Compulsive Gambling Center, Inc., is located in Baltimore and specializes in providing treatment for those whose lives have been adversely affected by problem gambling. It is the only facility in the state. We will be glad to send you additional information on the center or give you the telephone number so that you may speak to them directly. E-mail us here and let us know the information that you wish to recieve.
Q: What exactly is GA?
Gambler's Anonymous is the outgrowth of a chance meeting between two men during the month of January in 1957. These men had a truly baffling history of trouble and misery due to an obsession to gamble. They began to meet regularly and as the months passed neither had returned to gambling. They formulated a relapse prevention plan based on certain spiritual principles utilized by thousands of people who were recovering from other compulsive addictions. The first group meeting of GA was held on September 13, 1957 in Los Angles, California and has flourished ever since. GA is based on the twelve-step modality and consists of two or more people meeting together to discuss their obsession with gambling and a method to stop.
Q: What is compulsive gambling?
Gamblers Anonymous members believe that compulsive gambling is an illness, progressive in nature, which can never be cured, but can be arrested. These individuals often believe they are morally weak or "no good." We assist the individual in accepting that gambling addiction is a true addiction, but they can recover if they follow to the best of their ability a simple program that has proved successful for thousands of men and women.
Q: What is the first thing a compulsive gambler should do to stop gambling?
The compulsive gambler needs to be willing to accept the fact that he or she is in the grip of a progressive illness and has a desire to get well.
Q: How can you tell whether you are a compulsive gambler?
Only the affected individual can determine this. Most people turn to us when they become willing to admit that gambling has them licked. A compulsive gambler is described as a person whose gambling has caused growing and continuing problems in any area of his or her life i.e., family relationships, employment problems, financial problems and depression that accompanies any or all of these areas.
Q: Can a compulsive gambler ever gamble normally again?
No. The first bet to a problem gambler is like the first small drink to an alcoholic. Sooner or later he or she falls back into the same old destructive pattern.
Q: Why can't a gambler simply use will power to stop gambling?
Most people, if honest, will recognize their lack of power to solve certain problems including gambling. Many gamblers have abstained for long time periods only to be caught off guard and under the right set of circumstances, start gambling again. The defense of will-power alone gave way before some trivial reason for placing a bet. Will-power and self-knowledge will not help in those mental blank spots.
Q: I only go on gambling binges periodically. Do I need help?
Yes. A compulsive gambler often experiences periodic binges. However, these intervals were periods of nervousness, irritability, frustration and indecision.
Q: Is it okay for a gambler in recovery to participate in an office betting pool?
For the compulsive gambler, gambling is defined as: Any betting or wagering, for self or others, whether for money or not, no matter how slight or insignificant, where the outcome is uncertain or depends upon chance or "skill" constitutes gambling.
Q: Isn't compulsive gambling a financial problem?
No, compulsive gambling is an emotional problem. Financial problems are created, as are marital, employment and legal problems as a result of this emotional problem. In reality, of the many serious difficulties created for a compulsive gambler, the financial problem will often end up being the easiest to solve...once that individual seeks help.
Q: Is the Problem Gambling Council of Maryland opposed to gambling?
No. The council recognizes that, although many people have experienced gambling related problems, the vast majority of individuals enjoy gambling as harmless, recreational activity. However, the council will advocate a responsible problem gambling policy for the types of gambling that target vulnerable portions of the population such as youth, seniors, and the economically or emotionally disadvantaged.
Q: What if I have a question that was not listed here?
Feel free to contact us by phone, mail, or e-mail. We will gladly do our best to answer your question to your satisfaction.
Parts of this FAQ courtesy of www.laprobgam.org.
No. Although the Problem Gambling Council of Maryland and Gamblers Anonymous are dedicated to helping those with gambling problems, the two organizations are not formally connected.
Q: Will anyone else ever find out that I called the Problem Gambling Council of Maryland Helpline?
No. The Problem Gambling Council of Maryland Helpline,1-800-GAMBLER, is strictly confidential.
Q: How is the Problem Gambling Council of Maryland funded?
As of now, the council is strictly funded by organizations and individuals. Hopefully state funding is the next step.
Q: Do problem gamblers or their family members receive treatment at the Problem Gambling Council of Maryland?
No. Treatment takes place at various treatment centers. The council provides problem gamblers with information about their disease and refers them to the appropriate places for help, including treatment facilities and self help groups.
Q: Does the Problem Gambling Council of Maryland have a fax line?
Yes, (410)685-2307.
Q: Do you have a listing of the GA meetings in my area of the state?
Yes. It is updated often. We will be glad to mail you a copy or you can click the GA/GAMANON link on the left side of the page.
Q: Is there someplace else a person can go to get help for gambling instead of a 12 step program?
Yes. The state has counselors that are specially trained in problem gambling. We will be glad to give you the address and phone number of the counselors nearest to your area. Just e-mail us here and let us know what information you are interested in recieving.
Q: Can you help me get my money back or loan me money?
No. We can, however, help you if you desire to stop gambling. We will be glad to talk to you and your family. Just e-mail us here with your information.
Q: Is there a treatment center that specializes in treating gambling problems?
Yes. Compulsive Gambling Center, Inc., is located in Baltimore and specializes in providing treatment for those whose lives have been adversely affected by problem gambling. It is the only facility in the state. We will be glad to send you additional information on the center or give you the telephone number so that you may speak to them directly. E-mail us here and let us know the information that you wish to recieve.
Q: What exactly is GA?
Gambler's Anonymous is the outgrowth of a chance meeting between two men during the month of January in 1957. These men had a truly baffling history of trouble and misery due to an obsession to gamble. They began to meet regularly and as the months passed neither had returned to gambling. They formulated a relapse prevention plan based on certain spiritual principles utilized by thousands of people who were recovering from other compulsive addictions. The first group meeting of GA was held on September 13, 1957 in Los Angles, California and has flourished ever since. GA is based on the twelve-step modality and consists of two or more people meeting together to discuss their obsession with gambling and a method to stop.
Q: What is compulsive gambling?
Gamblers Anonymous members believe that compulsive gambling is an illness, progressive in nature, which can never be cured, but can be arrested. These individuals often believe they are morally weak or "no good." We assist the individual in accepting that gambling addiction is a true addiction, but they can recover if they follow to the best of their ability a simple program that has proved successful for thousands of men and women.
Q: What is the first thing a compulsive gambler should do to stop gambling?
The compulsive gambler needs to be willing to accept the fact that he or she is in the grip of a progressive illness and has a desire to get well.
Q: How can you tell whether you are a compulsive gambler?
Only the affected individual can determine this. Most people turn to us when they become willing to admit that gambling has them licked. A compulsive gambler is described as a person whose gambling has caused growing and continuing problems in any area of his or her life i.e., family relationships, employment problems, financial problems and depression that accompanies any or all of these areas.
Q: Can a compulsive gambler ever gamble normally again?
No. The first bet to a problem gambler is like the first small drink to an alcoholic. Sooner or later he or she falls back into the same old destructive pattern.
Q: Why can't a gambler simply use will power to stop gambling?
Most people, if honest, will recognize their lack of power to solve certain problems including gambling. Many gamblers have abstained for long time periods only to be caught off guard and under the right set of circumstances, start gambling again. The defense of will-power alone gave way before some trivial reason for placing a bet. Will-power and self-knowledge will not help in those mental blank spots.
Q: I only go on gambling binges periodically. Do I need help?
Yes. A compulsive gambler often experiences periodic binges. However, these intervals were periods of nervousness, irritability, frustration and indecision.
Q: Is it okay for a gambler in recovery to participate in an office betting pool?
For the compulsive gambler, gambling is defined as: Any betting or wagering, for self or others, whether for money or not, no matter how slight or insignificant, where the outcome is uncertain or depends upon chance or "skill" constitutes gambling.
Q: Isn't compulsive gambling a financial problem?
No, compulsive gambling is an emotional problem. Financial problems are created, as are marital, employment and legal problems as a result of this emotional problem. In reality, of the many serious difficulties created for a compulsive gambler, the financial problem will often end up being the easiest to solve...once that individual seeks help.
Q: Is the Problem Gambling Council of Maryland opposed to gambling?
No. The council recognizes that, although many people have experienced gambling related problems, the vast majority of individuals enjoy gambling as harmless, recreational activity. However, the council will advocate a responsible problem gambling policy for the types of gambling that target vulnerable portions of the population such as youth, seniors, and the economically or emotionally disadvantaged.
Q: What if I have a question that was not listed here?
Feel free to contact us by phone, mail, or e-mail. We will gladly do our best to answer your question to your satisfaction.
Parts of this FAQ courtesy of www.laprobgam.org.
Copyright © 2004 Problem Gambling Council of Maryland