J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs.  2020 Sep;29(3):253-263. 10.12934/jkpmhn.2020.29.3.253.

Experience of the Therapeutic Community in People with Gambling Disorder

• Lee EJ
• Kim JR

• KMID: 2507659
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12934/jkpmhn.2020.29.3.253

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the experience of people with gambling disorder, who participated in the therapeutic community.
Methods
Ten adults participated in a therapeutic community for at least three months and abstinent from gambling for more than six months. The data were collected May 16-August 1, 2019. Individual in-depth interviews were performed for 35~40 minutes.
Results
The data were classified into seven categories and 14 subcategories using thematic analysis methods. The subjects reported the experience of the therapeutic community as follow: 1) Trusting in a warm and safe environment; 2) Being comforted by colleagues’ empathy; 3) Recognition of personal problems through colleagues’ stories; 4) Recognition of personal wrong values through philosophy; 5) Recognition of a personal problem with lifestyle; 6) Empathizing with family members; 7) Development of the ability to recognize and cope with relapse.
Conclusion
The results showed that the therapeutic community had a positive impact on gambling abstinence and changes in the attitudes of life.

Keyword

Gambling disorder; Qualitative study; Recovery; Therapeutic community; 도박; 치료공동체; 정신건강회복; 질적연구