Evidence for a common dissociative-like reaction among addicts

A Focus Group Study of Predictors of Relapse in Electronic Gaming Machine Problem Gambling, Part 1: Factors that ‘Push’ Towards Relapse

“…Furthermore, this 'unthinking' mode of behaviour characterised as the 'zone' resulted in individual gamblers suffering harm (Livingstone et al 2008 pages 13 and19 respectively). Problem gamblers experienced more symptoms of dissociation with greater narrowing of attention than occasional gamblers (Jacobs 1988;Diskin andHodgins 1999, 2001;20 Allcock et al 2006). Altered consciousness has also been reported (Beaudoin and Cox 1999;Bergh and Kuhlhorn 1994) and higher Dissociative Experience Scores by Problem Gamblers have been reported in many forms of gambling (Kofoed et al 1997).…”

Responsible gambling strategies for Internet gambling: The theoretical and empirical base of using pop-up messages to encourage self-awareness

“…This behaviour may be caused by a disassociation from play or absorption in gambling and narrowing of attention. Research findings demonstrate that the majority of gamblers experience dissociation during play, including losing track of time, feeling like a different person, and feeling 'outside' oneself, and that the extent of dissociation increases with increasing severity of gambling pathology (Jacobs, 1988;Powell, Hardoon, Derevensky, & Gupta, 1996). Gamblers also appear to fail or be slower to respond to external stimuli and dissociate from previous thoughts and moods (Anderson & Brown, 1984;Diskin & Hodgins, 1999;Jacobs, 1986) indicating that their attention narrows and they become absorbed in the gambling activity, forgetting other life issues.…”

Mindfulness and problem gambling treatment

“…We believe that the application of mindfulness-based relapse prevention to problem gambling is particularly relevant because of the large role that erroneous beliefs play in problem gambling (e.g., Toneatto, et al, 1997;Turner, et al, 2006) and the tendency of people who have problems with gambling to engage in automatic thoughts while gambling (e.g., Benhsain et al, 2004;Jacobs, 1988;Gupta and Derevensky, 1998). Our notion is that becoming aware of these automatic thoughts should improve a gambler's ability to resist his or her urge to gamble.…”

“…Yet even if people are taught about the concept of independence of random events, the act of gambling itself can overpower what they have learned (see Benhsain et al 2004;Sevigny and Ladouceur, 2003). Furthermore, people with gambling problems have reported going into a trance-like state while gambling, which suggests that problem gambling often involves automatic thoughts that take place outside of awareness (see Jacobs, 1988;Gupta and Derevensky, 1998).…”

“…People with gambling problems often engage in negative behaviour to deal with anxiety, tension, and other stress-related feelings (see Jacobs, 1988;Turner, Jain, Spence and Zangeneh 2008;Turner et al, 2006). One common reason for relapse into addictive behavior is physical and emotional pressures (see Marlatt, 1985b;Turner et al 1997).…”