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Technology and Mutual Aid for Problem Gambling: the Past and the Future

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Technology and Mutual Aid for Problem Gambling: the Past and the Future Journal of Concurrent Disorders Vol. 1 No. 2, 2019 Technology and mutual aid for problem gambling: the past and the future. PETER FERENTZY 1 SHERALD SANCHEZ 1 NIGEL E. TURNER 1,2 1 Institute for Social Health Policy Research Center for Addiction and Mental Health 33 Russell Street, Toronto, ON Canada M5S 2S1; E-mail: [email protected] 2 Dalla Lana School of Public Health University of Toronto College Street Toronto, ON M5T 3M7 Canada Abstract This paper offers a cursory account of the use of technology and online services by 12-Step peer support groups with a particular focus on support services for problem gamblers. We examine the history of peer support groups and examine the extent to which they have embraced newer technologies. Gamblers Anonymous (GA) has little direct involvement in on-line support. However, GA members operating independently of GA have provided some pioneering peer support. In this paper, we gathered information about GA’s presence online through a cursory literature review, examination of websites, and three semi- structured interviews with key informants: two longstanding GA members and one non-member who is nonetheless very active in employing up to date technology to coordinate recovery options for problem gamblers. The benefits of online peer support for problem gamblers is discussed. Accessibility is one example, as some could be available 24 hours a day each day of the week. Another advantage is that many young adults and adolescents favor online options. This also applies to online gamblers. The Internet options we have uncovered are run mostly by GA members, typically without official GA sanction. Keywords: Gamblers Anonymous, online services, accessibility. Introduction focus groups, key informant interviews, and a pilot In recent years there has been a major push to put treatment project (Turner et al., 2018; Turner, 2018). more services for problem gamblers online. This This paper offers a cursory account of the use of includes helpline contact information, self-help technology and online services for mutual aid or peer information and workshops, early warning systems in support by organizations such as Gamblers online gambling environments, brief interventions, Anonymous (GA), as well as GA members operating and even full therapy programs such as CBT run independently of GA. By online peer support, we are entirely on the Internet (van der Maas et al. 2019). referring to a two-way interaction where a person This paper is a small part of an overall study of the seeks support, usually in the form of a question or a use of the Internet to help problem gamblers. It plea for guidance, and another person with similar includes literature reviews (van der Maas, 2019), experiences – in this case, gambling problems – 20 Journal of Concurrent Disorders Vol. 1 No. 2, 2019 replies with advice, offers of encouragement, the individuals on ways to get financial, and even legal, wisdom of experience, or just fellowship during their matters settled (Gamblers Anonymous International journey towards recovery. Such support is sometimes Service Office [GAISO], 1999). Independently of called mutual aid, self-help, peer-to-peer support, or these groups, GA’s recovery culture is marked by peer support. In this paper, we will use the term peer addressing financial issues (Ferentzy, Skinner, & support because it best captures the idea we are Antze, 2009). exploring. Peer support can often be a valuable and cost-effective adjunct to professional counseling According to GA literature: “The fellowship of (Schuler et al., 2016), and some people recover using Gamblers Anonymous is the outgrowth of a chance peer support alone (Ferentzy, Skinner & Antze, meeting between two men during the month of 2004). January in 1957. These men had a truly baffling history of trouble and misery due to an obsession to One important feature of Internet peer support is gamble. They began to meet regularly and as the accessibility. The Internet can be accessed all over the months passed neither had returned to gambling” world, 24 hours a day, every day (Wood & Wood, (GA, 2018b, para. 1). During informal discussions 2009). Gainsbury and Wood (2012) have noted that with GA members for a previous study, we learned in particular young adults and adolescents favor that each man was a recovering alcoholic who still online options. Also, these authors observe that such could not stop gambling (Ferentzy, Skinner, & Antze, initiatives are especially useful to online gamblers. 2004). The need for gambling-specific approaches Other benefits of Internet support are discussed. As was also corroborated in the same study. We found, mentioned, however, our focus is on the extent to for example, that a woman with gambling issues who which GA has embraced the Internet. Published had been off drugs in NA for over ten years still had literature was used, along with websites and semi- trouble understanding the nature of problem structured interviews of key informants. Three gambling. She was subject to cognitive distortions informants were interviewed: two longstanding GA that only a few GA meetings would likely have members and one non-member who is nonetheless corrected (Ferentzy, Skinner, & Antze, 2004). very active in employing technology to coordinate recovery options for problem gamblers. Internet GA itself offers little specific information on its own options we have uncovered are run mostly by GA history. “As a result of favorable publicity by a members, typically without official GA sanction. prominent newspaper columnist and TV While Cooper (2004) has pointed out that Internet- commentator, the first group meeting of Gamblers based problem gambling therapy can serve as an Anonymous was held on Friday, September 13, 1957, adjunct to GA, our intention is to focus directly on in Los Angeles, California. Since that time, the GA and its membership. fellowship has grown steadily and groups are flourishing throughout the world” (GA, 2018b, para. Founded in 1957, GA is a mutual aid fellowship 3). Finding exact numbers of GA total membership is relying on 12-Step principles originated by difficult. Still, according to an (admittedly dated_ Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). GA has groups in most source, in 1994 GA had over 4300 groups worldwide North American locales, and now functions in more than 50 countries. (Anonymous, 1994). worldwide as a resource for people dealing with Before exploring our findings on the extent and nature gambling problems. GA offers a unique culture of of GA online, we will offer up some information on recovery, distinguishing it from fellowships such as the other two fellowships mentioned above, as well as AA and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). The most Cocaine Anonymous (CA). This information is notable difference stems from the heavy financial provided to put the extent of GA’s online presence burdens many gamblers face: GA devotes much time into context. and energy to helping members deal with these matters. A feature unique to GA, the Pressure Relief Other mutual aid fellowships Group, is offered, mostly to newer members. This Founded in 1935, AA was the first 12-Step mutual aid involves experienced members coaching debt-ridden fellowship. Like GA, it began with two afflicted 21 Journal of Concurrent Disorders Vol. 1 No. 2, 2019 individuals: Bill W. and Dr. Bob S. (AA, 2018). Both 2018). In addition, AA offers online video meetings men had contact with a Christian organization called using Skype (AA, 2015). Another web site was the Oxford Group. Founded by Frank Buchman formed that hosts Skype-based meetings in Europe (Lean, 1985), the Oxford Group did not deal directly (Alcoholics Anonymous: Continental European with alcoholism but did emphasize spiritual values Region, 2019). that had helped a few members get sober. Buchman believed that the root of all problems is fear and Another mutual aid organization, NA, provides help selfishness, and that the solution involves for people addicted to other drugs. Despite a growing surrendering one's life to God's plan. A friend of Bill’s body of literature documenting NA’s origins, assorted had in fact gotten sober through affiliation with the accounts provide contradictory information. Oxford Group, and this helped to inspire Bill’s According to White et al. (2011), it was in 1949 that spiritual journey. Though the name “Alcoholics Danny C. initiated Addicts Anonymous. According to Anonymous” had not yet been used, the fellowship Verde Valley Arizona Narcotics Anonymous (2018), was essentially functioning in 1936. In 1939, AA had it was Jimmy K. who played the most important role, only three groups, all in the U.S. In this same year, the with the first meeting held in 1948. Either way, the fellowship published the book, Alcoholics name was quickly changed to Narcotics Anonymous Anonymous (AA, 2018; Alcoholics Anonymous in order to avoid the potential confusion that could World Services [AAWS], 1939, 2016). In this book, occur with two AA’s (White et al, 2011). NA was the 12 steps – a spiritual approach to recovery incorporated in 1951 (Verde Valley Arizona involving reflection on one’s past and commitment to Narcotics Anonymous [VVANA], 2018), and began helping other alcoholics – were laid out. At the time, operating under that name in 1953. At first, the AA membership stood at about 100. Despite a political climate did not favor efforts by drug addicts spiritual bent, AA from its inception was willing to to congregate and (purportedly) exchange drugs cooperate with science and medicine. Another pivotal (White et al., 2011). Addicts also feared that meetings event occurred in 1939, when the “Cleveland Plain could be infiltrated by police or informants. Laws Dealer carried a series of articles about A.A., against addicts congregating, and overall fear and supported by warm editorials. The Cleveland group mistrust of anyone who used illegal drugs, made it of only twenty members was deluged by countless hard for NA to find places to hold meetings; few pleas for help” (AA, 2018, para.
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