The end of loneliness

adapted from NA Just For Today

"With the love that I am shown in Gaming Addicts Anonymous, I know I don't have to be plagued by loneliness anymore."

adapted from NA Basic Text p.262

Addiction is a lonely illness. We may be surrounded by people but, sooner or later, our addiction drives a wedge between us and even our closest loved ones. Many of us are driven to Gaming Addicts Anonymous by a desperate loneliness.

Though we may approach the rooms of GAA with caution and suspicion, we are welcomed with a hug, a smile, and a warm "keep coming back." This may be the first place where we have felt welcome in a long, long while. We watch other members talking and laughing, leaving the meeting in groups for more talk at the local coffee shop. We wonder if we, too, could become a part of this loving bunch.

Our pattern of isolation can make it difficult for us to join in. Over time, however, we begin to feel "a part of" rather than "apart from." Soon, when we walk into the rooms, we feel at home. We begin to make friends and our lives start to change.

GAA teaches us how to overcome our isolation. Through our first tentative friendships formed in our home group, we start to find that making friends isn't hard. A sense of belonging comes when we share ourselves with others.

Just for today: I am thankful for the friendships recovery has given me in GAA. Because of them, I am lonely no more.