Future Directions in Gambling Treatment Research: Lessons from a Scoping Review of Mechanisms of Change in Alcoholics Anonymous

Session Title

Treatment: Comorbidity & Mutual Aid

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation

Start Date

26-5-2026 12:00 AM

Abstract

Gamblers Anonymous (GA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) are mutual support groups to help individuals achieve abstinence from gambling and alcohol, respectively. However, GA may be less effective for decreasing gambling than AA is for decreasing drinking. GA researchers have noted the need to explore mechanisms of change in GA. As GA appears to be aligning more with AA now than it has historically, it may now be propitious to advance the GA literature by applying the latest AA mechanisms-of-change research. In a recent scoping review, we identified mechanisms that explain AA’s salutary effects on reductions in alcohol use: greater abstinence self-efficacy, smaller pro-drinking social networks, larger pro-abstinent social networks, greater spirituality, decreased depression, larger AA-specific social networks, and decreased impulsivity. In the GA literature, while motivation was associated with higher GA attendance and lower gambling frequency, GA attendance was not related to abstinence self-efficacy. Considering self-efficacy was the most robust mechanism of change we identified for AA, this suggests avenues for further inquiry. Additionally, siblings and spouses are specifically critical to success in GA. Contrasting this, in AA, AA-specific social networks are more crucial, suggesting an exceptionality to the social support found there. Finally, as GA is beginning to develop a more spiritual emphasis, GA spirituality may be fertile ground for empirical inquiry.

Author Bios

Ryan Hjelle is a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at East Tennessee State University, a member of the Tennessee Institute for Gambling Education and Research Team, and a therapist at The Gambling Clinic. His research interests include 12-step facilitation in the treatment of addiction, rural mental health, and attachment styles as they relate to spirituality and addiction.

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May 26th, 12:00 AM

Future Directions in Gambling Treatment Research: Lessons from a Scoping Review of Mechanisms of Change in Alcoholics Anonymous

Gamblers Anonymous (GA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) are mutual support groups to help individuals achieve abstinence from gambling and alcohol, respectively. However, GA may be less effective for decreasing gambling than AA is for decreasing drinking. GA researchers have noted the need to explore mechanisms of change in GA. As GA appears to be aligning more with AA now than it has historically, it may now be propitious to advance the GA literature by applying the latest AA mechanisms-of-change research. In a recent scoping review, we identified mechanisms that explain AA’s salutary effects on reductions in alcohol use: greater abstinence self-efficacy, smaller pro-drinking social networks, larger pro-abstinent social networks, greater spirituality, decreased depression, larger AA-specific social networks, and decreased impulsivity. In the GA literature, while motivation was associated with higher GA attendance and lower gambling frequency, GA attendance was not related to abstinence self-efficacy. Considering self-efficacy was the most robust mechanism of change we identified for AA, this suggests avenues for further inquiry. Additionally, siblings and spouses are specifically critical to success in GA. Contrasting this, in AA, AA-specific social networks are more crucial, suggesting an exceptionality to the social support found there. Finally, as GA is beginning to develop a more spiritual emphasis, GA spirituality may be fertile ground for empirical inquiry.