Browsing by Author "Solowoniuk, Jason"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    An Insider’s Look Into the Process of Recovering From Pathological Gambling Disorder: An Existential Phenomenological Inquiry
    (eCOMMUNITY: International Journal of Mental Health & Addiction, 2005-11-21) Nixon, Gary; Solowoniuk, Jason
    An existential phenomenological method of study was implemented to better understand the recovery process of 11 pathological gamblers. After analysis, seven recovery themes were generated, which brought to light that recovery from pathological gambling may take place over several years and cycle through successive stages. These stages demonstrate and suggest that recovering from pathological gambling is more cyclical and spiral in nature as opposed to being linear, and is reflective of a continuous, ever evolving process. Specifically, recovering from pathological gambling may take place over several years and cycle through stages of heavy gaming, periods of abstinence, relapse, and re-commitment to recovery, with the recovering gambler gradually moving towards stability through embracing the flow of life and a new identity, and over time finding meaning through extending hope to other troubled gamblers.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Stacking the odds: A phenomenological study of non-problem gambling in later life
    (University of Toronto Press, 2005) Hagen, Brad; Nixon, Gary; Solowoniuk, Jason
    The purpose of this exploratory, phenomenological-hermeneutic study was to explore the experience of non-problem gambling by older adults. Twelve older gamblers were identified as non-problem gamblers using two gambling screens and participated in in-depth interviews about their experience of gambling. Two major themes emerged from the interviews: the attractions of gambling and methods to keep gambling in control. Older persons sought out gambling for a variety of reasons: social contact, the food and the excitement, chances to give to charity, chances to have an inexpensive holiday, and the need for a safe way to be "bad". Participants also described a number of cognitive and behavioural strategies to keep their gambling from becoming a problem. The results of this small exploratory study suggest that gambling is a popular form of social entertainment for older persons, although the main attractions of gambling have little or nothing to do with gambling itself. Older persons also appear to possess numerous strategies to keep gambling from becoming a problem.