and thank you for expressing your thoughts.
I read your account with interest – for such a young person you have obviously done some analysis of your situation.
To answer your questions – should you tell close friends? Part of the gambling psyche is to keep things as secret as possible – so admitting we are gamblers not just to ourselves but to others is something that we are encouraged to do. Yes they may just shrug and not take it any further – but it will also help you to remember that you are “different” from others and when you say that you don’t want to join them in a casino or racetrack – you then don’t have to explain why.
As regards GA – emailing or phoning to speak to someone first is a good first step. I spoke to someone on the phone before my first meeting and it helped to give me the confidence to go (and to help me see that I belonged there!) That is different to a sponsor though – I think a sponsor is someone you have a longer relationship with, within the fellowship and should be someone you choose when you have got to know people a bit better.
Therapy? Having professional support can be life-changing – but again I feel the relationship is the key, so you may want to shop around if you can. It will help to look at some of the underlying issues and be another tool in your recovery.
Stopping gambling is the beginning of the journey, staying stopped is more difficult and that is where the support will be needed. You have made a great start by coming here and telling us your story. I hope you can get the support to move forwards.