Forums and Support Communities
1. Why Forums and Communities
Exchange of experience and tactics. Participants share real cases: what works if they want to play, how to overcome the decline in motivation.
Emotional support. The recognition and empathy of "their own" removes feelings of loneliness and shame.
Responsibility to the group. Regular reports motivate not to break down, so as not to "let others down."
2. Main types of communities
1. Global English Language Forums
Reddit r/problemgambling: discussions, instructions, AMA sessions with experts.
Gambling Therapy Community: chat, thematic branches, free webinars.
2. Russian-language forums and chats
"Stop-Game" (stop-igra. ru): forum with sections on BTP techniques, success stories and psychological assistance.
Telegram chats: closed groups with a daily moderator, topics "current impulses" and "morning reports."
3. Specialist Methodology Communities
GA online groups: official meetings of Gamblers Anonymous via Zoom, schedule on GA website.
SMART Recovery online groups: a platform for self-management and exchange of workbooks.
4. Local offline appointments
Anonymous players (GA) in your city: schedule of universal steps, sponsorship.
Psychological clubs and centers: free meetings in PN/CP in municipal centers of assistance to addicts.
3. How to choose the right community
4. Rules for effective participation
1. Read the rules and FAQs. Avoid bans for flooding or advertising.
2. Introduce yourself in the "Newcomers Branch." Briefly describe your experience and goals.
3. Report regularly. Morning or evening posts about the condition, traction levels and techniques used.
4. Actively ask questions. The more specific the situation, the more useful the advice.
5. Support others. Responding to reports helps you consolidate your own successes.
5. How to use forums to strengthen your tracker
Links to techniques: when finding a new technique, copy its name and source in the "Applied techniques" field of your tracker.
Inspiration: Save quotes and excerpts from success stories in a separate section of the tracker.
Contact sponsor: Agree on an "escort" forum - a person sponsor who will respond to your emergency messages.
6. Collaboration with psychologist and group
Discussion of the forum in sessions. Share the most useful recommendations with your therapist and analyze their adaptation to yourself.
Parallel maintenance. Combine online GA groups with individual CBT sessions - a double effect of combining group support and professional therapy.
Forums and support communities are not just a place to read stories, but a living tool for your recovery. Choose active and moderator groups, participate honestly and regularly, integrate the found techniques into your own failure plan, and your motivation will become unshakable.
Exchange of experience and tactics. Participants share real cases: what works if they want to play, how to overcome the decline in motivation.
Emotional support. The recognition and empathy of "their own" removes feelings of loneliness and shame.
Responsibility to the group. Regular reports motivate not to break down, so as not to "let others down."
2. Main types of communities
1. Global English Language Forums
Reddit r/problemgambling: discussions, instructions, AMA sessions with experts.
Gambling Therapy Community: chat, thematic branches, free webinars.
2. Russian-language forums and chats
"Stop-Game" (stop-igra. ru): forum with sections on BTP techniques, success stories and psychological assistance.
Telegram chats: closed groups with a daily moderator, topics "current impulses" and "morning reports."
3. Specialist Methodology Communities
GA online groups: official meetings of Gamblers Anonymous via Zoom, schedule on GA website.
SMART Recovery online groups: a platform for self-management and exchange of workbooks.
4. Local offline appointments
Anonymous players (GA) in your city: schedule of universal steps, sponsorship.
Psychological clubs and centers: free meetings in PN/CP in municipal centers of assistance to addicts.
3. How to choose the right community
| Criteria | Evaluation Questions |
|---|---|
| Language and format | Is the interface convenient, is the time and day of meetings suitable? |
| Anonymity | Can I participate under a pseudonym without disclosing data? |
| Activity | How many new posts/questions per day? How many members are online? |
| Moderation and expertise | Are there psychological curators or experienced sponsors? |
| Thematic Focus | Focus on Online Casinos and Digital Gabling? |
4. Rules for effective participation
1. Read the rules and FAQs. Avoid bans for flooding or advertising.
2. Introduce yourself in the "Newcomers Branch." Briefly describe your experience and goals.
3. Report regularly. Morning or evening posts about the condition, traction levels and techniques used.
4. Actively ask questions. The more specific the situation, the more useful the advice.
5. Support others. Responding to reports helps you consolidate your own successes.
5. How to use forums to strengthen your tracker
Links to techniques: when finding a new technique, copy its name and source in the "Applied techniques" field of your tracker.
Inspiration: Save quotes and excerpts from success stories in a separate section of the tracker.
Contact sponsor: Agree on an "escort" forum - a person sponsor who will respond to your emergency messages.
6. Collaboration with psychologist and group
Discussion of the forum in sessions. Share the most useful recommendations with your therapist and analyze their adaptation to yourself.
Parallel maintenance. Combine online GA groups with individual CBT sessions - a double effect of combining group support and professional therapy.
Forums and support communities are not just a place to read stories, but a living tool for your recovery. Choose active and moderator groups, participate honestly and regularly, integrate the found techniques into your own failure plan, and your motivation will become unshakable.
