Barriers to Treatment for Problem Gamblers
Principal Investigator: John Cunningham
Co-Investigators: David Hodgins & Tony Toneatto
Funding Source: OPGRC
Completion Date/Term: February 01, 2006 May 30, 2007
Contact: John Cunningham
416-535-8501 Ext. 6701
john_cunningham@camh.net
Description:
Why do many problem gamblers never seek treatment? The real and perceived barriers that discourage treatment engagement have been identified as a priority research topic by the OPGRC for fiscal 2005-06. The issue is important because there are a number of effective treatments for problem gamblers (Hodgins, 2005; Toneatto & Ladouceur, 2003), yet only about one in ten gamblers with a lifetime diagnosis of gambling dependence ever seek treatment (J.A. Cunningham, 2005; U.S. data, Canadian data not available as of yet). There has been some limited published research investigating barriers to seeking treatment, finding that many problem gamblers are unwilling to access treatment, often because of stigma, embarrassment or a desire to handle their problems on their own (Evans & Delfabbro, 2005; Hodgins & el-Guebaly, 2000; Rockloff & Schofield, 2004). The proposed study will specifically explore the barriers to seeking treatment for problem gamblers in Ontario. The study will take a population approach, employing epidemiological survey methods to screen for a representative sample of adult problem gamblers from the general population of Ontario and then conducting a systematic analysis of factors that have been identified in previous research as important in explaining why many problem gamblers do not seek treatment.
Approaches to Recovery In Gamblers Anonymous
Principal Investigator: Peter Ferentzy, PhD
Co-Investigators: Wayne Skinner, MSW & Paul Antze, PhD
Funding Source: OPGRC
Completion Date/Term: April 2005 - Spring 2007
Contact: Wayne Skinner, MSW
416-535-8501 Ext. 6387
Wayne_Skinner@camh.net
Description:
Designed to build upon knowledge generated by our original ethnographic inquiry into Gamblers Anonymous (GA), this qualitative, interview based study will explore the many variations in recovery approaches found among GA members. Our primary focus will be on the process referred to as working the 12 Steps. We have leaned that the GA fellowship has changed significantly over the last ten to fifteen years, notably with respect to a greater emphasis on the 12 Steps and psycho-emotional issues in general as well as a greater involvement of women. Practically all the available literature was published before these changes began, leaving the research community with an even poorer grasp of GAs recovery program than when a few forays were made into this largely unknown fellowship. Building upon findings from our first study which was designed in part to determine what happens at GA meetings, this study will look more closely at how GA members practice and work their programs on their own and in cooperation with their sponsors. Agreement bordering on consensus among GA members that the latter is key to success in the program, as well as our own findings associating 12 Step work with abstinence as well as life satisfaction, lead to the conclusion that this is the best way to understand the ways in which GA can help many, though obviously not all, problem gamblers. While acknowledging the overall recovery culture guiding the 12 Step process in GA, we intend as well to look for internal variations. Not all GA members pursue their recovery in the same fashion, and knowledge generated by our first study has led us to hypothesize that certain approaches are associated with intra-personal [do you believe in god? Do you believe that gambling addiction is a disease] and situational factors. We will explore the impact of these recovery styles on recovery outcomes.
Development and Validation of a Mindfulness Intervention for Problem Gambling: An Exploratory Study
Principal Investigator: Tony Toneatto
Co-Investigators: Casimir Soare & Lisa Vettese
Funding Source: Unfunded
Completion Date/Term: January 2007 - June 2007
Contact: Tony Toneatto
416-535-8501 Ext. 6828
tony_toneatto@camh.net
Description:
In recent years, mindfulness meditation has been shown to be a promising approach for alleviating emotional distress associated with chronic medical and psychiatric conditions and in reducing relapse following treatment for depression. The applicability of mindfulness meditation to problem gambling has not yet been explored. Mindfulness meditation may be particularly suitable for this clinical disorder as it stresses a process-oriented, metacognitive, approach to cognitive pathology in contrast to a content-focused approach, characteristic of traditional approaches to treating cognitive psychopathology. Gambling-related cognitive psychopathology is a well-known characteristic of problem gambling and frequently the target of therapy. Although there is growing evidence that cognitive-behavioral treatments are effective for gambling, outcomes may be improved by teaching gamblers additional ways to cope with cognitive distortions that emphasize metacognitive processes. In this proposed research, a mindfulness intervention for gamblers will be developed and evaluated in a randomized clinical trial.