When individuals recover from gambling disorder, their involvement in other potentially addictive substances and behaviors may also subsequently increase substitution or decrease concurrent recovery.
The objectives of this study were to identify and compare recovery processes associated with substitution and concurrent recovery in gambling disorder. A mixed-method study was conducted with people who were recovered from gambling disorder. Semi-structured interviews were used to: i establish onset and recovery of gambling disorder as well as other substance and behavioral addictions; and ii assess processes e.
Participants also completed a survey assessing demographic characteristics, gambling behaviors, and psychological characteristics to compare demographic and clinical differences between participants who engaged in addiction substitution, concurrent recovery, or neither controls. The most frequently reported reason for engaging in addiction substitution was as a substitute coping mechanism. The most reported reason for engaging in concurrent recovery was due to the addictions being mutually influenced.
Negative emotional states were common when engaging in both addiction substitution and concurrent recovery. Although the three groups did not differ on gambling characteristics, addiction substitution was associated with greater underlying vulnerabilities including childhood adversity, impulsivity, emotion dysregulation, and, maladaptive coping skills. Transdiagnostic treatments that target the underlying mechanisms of addictions may reduce the likelihood of engaging in addiction substitution.
According to Pickering, Spoelma, Dawczyk, Gainsbury, and Blaszczynski , there exists two common definitions of recovery. The first consists of a medical view, which conceptualizes recovery from an abstinence-based approach. The second is the service user i. Recovery from gambling disorder also fits within these two domains. However, according to Nower and Blaszczynski a definition of recovery should include the absence of addiction substitution i.
