TOP forums for supporting players

💡 Below - platforms with live stories, moderation and understandable rules. I indicated how they are useful and how to turn on safely.

1) GamCare Community (UK, Global)

What it is: The largest English-speaking community under the charity GamCare: topics, personal diaries, scheduled chats. The forum is moderated, there are separate rooms for loved ones.

Who fits: if you want structured support and group time chats.

Pros: moderation, "how to stop" sections, "family support," regular chat rooms.

2) Gambling Therapy Forums (Global)

What are these: forums of the international service Gambling Therapy (Gordon Moody organization). There are branches for players and for loved ones, warm "peer-to-peer" support.

Who is suitable: if anonymity and response of people from different countries/time zones are important.

Pros: many thematic branches, welcome tone, support for relatives.

3) Reddit r/ProblemGambling and r/GamblingAddiction (Global)

What it is: Big subreddits with diaries, no-play N-day plans, self-exclusion tips. The triggers' own hygiene is important.

Who is suitable: if you want a diary of responsibility and a quick response from the community.

Pros/Cons: Lots of live stories; there is no "official" moderation of specialists, so use the safety rules (below).

4) SMART Recovery (online community and meetings)

What it is: an evidence-based self-help program (CBT approach): online scheduled meetings, active community channels; the historic SROL forum is closed and migrated to the SMARTfinder system (emphasis on meetings and groups).

Who fits: if you need a structural, non-12-step approach with self-control tools.

Pros: free online meetings, clear techniques (ABC, "If-then"), global coverage.

5) Gamblers Anonymous (GA) - online meetings and community

What it is: An international 12-step movement; there are face-to-face and virtual rallies, including telephone. This is not a classic forum, but a sustainable "peer community" with regular support.

Who fits: if the 12-step format responds and a regular group is needed.

Pros: free appointments, lots of schedules, hotlines.

6) National Reference and Community Catalogs (US example)

NCPG Peer Support Resources: a directory of mutual assistance and a telephone of the National 1-800-522-4700 Line (chat/text), local groups/forums will tell you. Useful for searching in your region.

How to choose a site for yourself (quick guide)

Need structured branches + chats? GamCare.

I want a warm international "shoulder" 24/7? Gambling Therapy.

Need a diary and a quick response from the community? r/ProblemGambling.

Looking for self-control practices and CBT tools? SMART Recovery (online meetings).

Want a regular 12-step group/phone rallies? Gamblers Anonymous.

Safe participation rules (required)

1. Anonymity: nickname without full name/addresses; do not post invoice amounts/screenshots.

2. Triggers: avoid content with links to casinos/streams; when browsing Reddit - the meth of words/subs that warm up.

3. Time and tone: read/write during the day, limit 15-30 minutes, then - water/walk.

4. Solutions - "into the cold": any changes in limits/self-exclusion - after sleep.

5. If crisis: use local emergency lines; in the USA - 988 and 1-800-522-4700 (NCPG).

How to get started (scripts and steps)

Post-introduction (copy):

💡 "Hello! I [nick], [age/country optional]. Playing/playing ___, now I want to stop and keep the plan. Self-exclusion/limits already included, looking for support and ideas: how to survive cravings in the evening and how to replace "sticking." Thanks to everyone in advance"

First response to others:

💡 "Glad you wrote. That sounds heavy. What helped at least for a day? I try [timeout/night silence/blocker], I can share the settings"

Plan to "join the community" in 14 days

Days 1-3

Post your opening post/comment.

Set a reading limit: 20-30 min/day and only during the day.

Days 4-7

Select one online meeting (SMART or GA) and attend.

Start a short diary "STOP-5" in the topic/notes: trigger → thought → emotion → replacement → total.

Days 8-10

Find a "partner of responsibility" in the topic or among friends: exchange of "daily check-in" by time/mood.

Connect a chat room on a schedule (GamCare).

Days 11-14

Share one lesson and one win (even a small one).

Decide what you leave for a month: 1 forum + 1 meeting/week.

Community Member Checklist

Nick without personal data
Screen time limit (timer, pre-alert 70/90%)
One home forum + one online calendar meeting
"Rule of Day" for any limit/money decisions
Note Help Contacts (National Line/Local Resources)

Mini-FAQ

Is the forum a "cure"?

This is support, not a replacement for therapy. Works well in conjunction with limits, self-exclusion and consultations.

What if comments trigger?

Pause, hide trigger threads/words, switch to moderation forums (GamCare/Gambling Therapy).

Are there Russian-language resources?

Look for local groups/lines through your country's national directories and hotlines; the international forums above are available in English and are often friendly to newcomers.

Online communities are a pillar and a semblance of progress: daily check-ins, the experience of those who have followed a similar path, and quick access to meetings. Choose one "home" forum and one regular online meeting, follow security rules and "solutions tomorrow." Then support will become a habit, and the course towards recovery will become sustainable.