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 GamTalk
members
• stories are from a subjective perspective, but an important one

key
themes
pathways into PG barriers to recovery
epiphaniesfacilitators of recovery

Social factors
playing with friends
parental/family history
early onset of gambling
social isolation
(gambling fills void)
Pathways into
problem gambling
Psychological factors
depression
escape- gambling
is a refuge
living a fantasy, being
someone else- getting
lost, over confidence in
gambling skills,
other addiction issues
Specific events
traumatic events
stress
some 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 isolation
secrecy,
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 issues
lack 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 issues
debt, unpaid bills,
work, family/partner
access to
cash/credit, can’t
leave whilst have
money
Triggers
traumatic 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 alone
discovering that
others have same
problems,
hearing all about
other people’s
problems
It’s ok to be me
I can’t run
from myself,
I can’t change
others only myself,
accepting blame
Hope
seeing 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 inclusion
accepting help,
using onsite/online
support, letting it all out,
connecting with others,
make non-gambling friends,
change lifestyle,
do other things
Build identity
self-esteem
gain hope,
learn about self,
proud of self, want to
recover, doing it for self,
confidence but not
over confidence
Authenticity
living 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

www.GamTalk.org
info@gamtalk.org
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