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Gambler self-help strategies: A comprehensive assessment of self-help strategies and actions
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posted on 2018-07-10, 00:00 authored by D Lubman, S Rodda, Nerilee HingNerilee Hing, A Cheetham, T Cartmill, E Nuske, D Hodgins, J CunninghamEven though most people who develop gambling problems do not seek treatment,
many recover through their own volition. Historically referred to as natural recovery,
there is growing evidence that a gambling problem rarely spontaneously resolves itself,
rather resources, strategies, and actions are employed. Self-help is the most widely
used type of help amongst gamblers, and the first choice of gamblers if a problem has
developed. Despite this, self-help has largely only been examined as a component of
studies investigating help-seeking or recovery from problem gambling, rather than in its
own right. As such, previous studies have typically investigated the uptake and
effectiveness of a small set of self-help strategies, largely drawn from qualitative
interviews with gamblers who are in recovery. These retrospective accounts are
important but limited in that they represent a select and often small subsample of the
gambling population. As such, there is a need to look beyond the literature to document
what strategies and actions are promoted by industry and government, as well the
strategies that are endorsed by gamblers themselves.
Building on the existing evidence, this multi-method project sought to develop a
comprehensive list of self-help strategies and actions from a broad range of sources,
as well as examine their uptake and helpfulness within an Australian context. Based on
the previous literature, self-help was defined as the resources, strategies and actions
people use to control or maintain change to their gambling that they do themselves,
without necessarily interacting with other people. Compared to professional help, selfhelp
strategies are characterised by being: (i) non-professionally administered; (ii)
largely self-administered; and (iii) under personal control. Importantly, people can
engage in self-help alone, as well as sequentially or concurrently with other forms of
help, including from family and friends, peer support, mutual aid groups, and
professional sources.
Funding
Category 2 - Other Public Sector Grants Category
History
Start Page
1End Page
354Number of Pages
354Publisher
State of Victoria, Department of JusticePlace of Publication
Melbourne, Vic.Open Access
- Yes
Cultural Warning
This research output may contain the names and images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people now deceased. We apologize for any distress that may occur.External Author Affiliations
Turning Point, Eastern Health; Monash University; Southern Cross University; University of Calgary; Australian National University;Era Eligible
- Yes