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Stories of hope
Personal perspectives of recovery from a gambling problem and how
they can inform RG
Purpose of the study
• share personal stories of recovery from PG with others
• identify common themes, experiences, routes, helpful strategies……
• suggest where RG strategy might help PGs and reduce the likelihood of others developing PG behavior
What we did
• 20 detailed recovery stories (50 pages)
• these people all had serious gambling problems
• posted on www.GamTalk.org ‘Stories of hope’
• analysed using thematic analysis and feedback from GamTalkmembers
• stories are from a subjective perspective, but an important one
key themes
pathways into PG barriers to recovery
epiphaniesfacilitators of recovery
Social factorsplaying with friends
parental/family historyearly onset of gambling
social isolation (gambling fills void)
Pathways into problem gambling
Psychological factorsdepression
escape- gambling is a refuge
living a fantasy, being someone else- getting
lost, over confidence in gambling skills,
other addiction issues
Specific eventstraumatic events
stresssome big wins
How might responsible gambling initiatives help?
Pathways into problem gambling• exclude youth• minimise social isolation- avoid
placing games in isolated areas, encourage staff to talk to players (have staff who do just this), provide online chat services
Social isolationsecrecy,
hidden problem, not talking, wearing a mask, withdrawal, gambling only social
activity
Identity and self-esteem
shame, guilt, stigma, helplessness, feel inadequate, being
someone else, like a “big-shot” when
gambling
Lack of authenticity (with self and others)
dishonesty, lies, emotionally shut-off/ hide feelings, denial-convinced everything is fine.
Control issueslack direction, don’t know where to start, no access to support or treatment, access
to money, can’t leave whilst have
money, other addictions
Money issuesdebt, unpaid bills,
work, family/partneraccess to
cash/credit, can’t leave whilst have
money
Triggerstraumatic events,
stress,some big wins,
having cash/credit,access to gambling,
Barriers to recovery
How might responsible gambling initiatives help?
Barriers to recovery• help players find support- provide
easily accessible referral information (onsite & online e.g. www.GamTalk.org)
• restrict access to cash (ATMs) and credit
• try to minimise the stigma of PG and encourage asking for help (promote stories of hope)
• Effective self-exclusion
I am not alonediscovering that
others have same problems,
hearing all about other people’s
problems
It’s ok to be meI can’t run
from myself,I can’t change
others only myself,accepting blame
Hopeseeing that
others recover,realising they have choices,
finding support,being accepted by others,
a new person in their life
Gambling is not going to solve this
no one big win to solve all problems,
gambling is a loser club and I am the loser,
if I do win I will just lose it all again
Epiphanies
Epiphanies• publicise that some players have
problems but do go on to recover
• emphasise that gambling is never about making money
• provide players with feedback on their gambling behaviour
How might responsible gambling initiatives help?
Social inclusionaccepting help,
using onsite/onlinesupport, letting it all out, connecting with others,
make non-gambling friends, change lifestyle, do other things
Build identity self-esteemgain hope,
learn about self, proud of self, want to
recover, doing it for self, confidence but not
over confidence
Authenticityliving in the light,
accountability, accepting self,
spirituality (self-awareness, a right
way, transformation)emotional radar
Control accept that control over gambling gone,
ODAAT, focus on moment, limit access to money &
opportunity, better coping, direction/a path,
treatment/support
Facilitators of recovery
Facilitators of recovery• limit access to gambling through
effective self-exclusion (onsite & online)
• have staff available who can talk to distressed players (onsite & online)
How might responsible gambling initiatives help?
Conclusions
• These were very vulnerable people
• The problems were heavily focused on individual issues
• These accounts are subjective personal perspectives
• RG strategy can assist very vulnerable players– Give them hope: good referral options, onsite/online support and
interactions
– Communicate: talk to players, help them to be more aware of their behaviour
– Restrict Access: for youth, limit cash and credit, self-exclusion
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