A case study on the Recovery Experiences of Problematic Online Gamblers

ABSTRACT

This study analysed the recovery experiences of problematic online gamblers in South Korea using the case analysis method proposed by Padgett (1998). Ten cases participated in this study. Analysis revealed four types of difficulties in recovery from problematic gambling (prevalent conditions of online gambling, the dilemma of access blocking, anonymity’s role in enabling secret relapses, and constant temptation from betting companies) and four types of recovery strategies (access blocking, transparent online access, temptation blocking, and traditional recovery strategies). Moreover, the spiral process of recovery was discovered.

KEYWORDS:

• Problematic online gambling
• online gamblers
• recovery experiences
• case study
• transtheoretical model of behaviour change

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea [NRF-2020S1A5B8100993]

Notes on contributors

Kwanghyun Kim

Kwanghyun Kim, the PhD candidate, is from the Department of Social Welfare, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea. His research interests include risk and protective factors in the digital era, social service, and children.

Seong Jun Maeng

Seong Jun Maeng, the PhD candidate, is from the Department of Social Welfare, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea. His research interests include social service and longterm care.

Junhyeok Kang

Junhyeok Knag, PhD, is lecturer at the Department of Addiction Rehabilitation and Social Welfare, Eulji University, Seongnam, South Korea. His research interests include mental health and philosophy in social welfare.

Sun Kyung Kang

Sun Kyung Kang, PhD, is lecturer at tthe Department of Social Welfare, Sogang University, Seoul, South Korea. Her research interests include social work practice, mental health, and addiction.