Dr. Richard Wood - Stories of Hope: How Personal Accounts of Recovery can Inform Responsible Gambling Strategy

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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