Several focus groups were held at two senior’s facilities, as well as two treatment facilities. All of the participants were 55+ years old and self-identified as problem gamblers. As identified previously in the research literature (Munro, Cox-Bishop, McVey, & Munro, 2003; Wiebe, 2002; Korn & Shaffer, 1999) these participants identified feeling marginalized, a sense of financial disenfranchisement, and lots of spare time on their hands. In addition, all women identified co-morbidity between their problem gambling and another addiction. Their identified addictions were: smoking cigarettes, alcohol, misuse of prescription medications, and illicit substances (marijuana, cocaine). Also of significance was that the majority identified histories of childhood trauma (sexual, physical and emotional).
In terms of implications for group treatment, all felt that being in women-only groups was of benefit, often feeling the need to “care take” or being overwhelmed by male participants in co-ed recovery groups. Newly identified was the need to learn self-monitoring skills to avoid the pitfalls of succumbing to resuming gambling. Of most significant import was the unanimous request for treatment groups that helped these senior women resolve their historical trauma.
An article entitled “The At Risk Gambler: Older Adults Opinions, Perceptions, and Beliefs About Gambling” has been submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.
