Towards a relational framework for pathological gambling (Part I): Five circuits

Abstract

Relationship patterns before and after pathological gambling were investigated qualitatively using eight in‐depth clinical case studies in which one partner met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders‐IV pathological gambling criteria. Five circuits of couple interactions are described: (i) fault‐lines; (ii) pressure points; (iii) escalation; (iv) relapse and (v) congruence. The exploration of these circuits is developed in two complementary articles. This first article delineates the first four circuits as recursive self‐perpetuating cycles of couple distress in systemic interaction with pathological gambling development and relapse. The second article delineates how a couple can be helped to extricate themselves from these recursive circuits through ‘congruence’. Implications of this relational formulation of pathological gambling for conceptualization, assessment and treatment are discussed.

Problem gambling and family violence: family member reports of prevalence, family impacts and family coping

“…However, the relationship between problem gambling and family violence (and other risk factors such as problem drinking) is complex (Muelleman et al, 2002;Raylu & Oei, 2007). As Lee (2012) found, in a case series analysis of couples in therapy, although an elevated risk of intimate partner violence involving physical and verbal aggression and sexual coercion was found with problem gambling, their temporal and causal link was not always clear. She noted that half the couples in this study reported episodic and at times prolonged emotional and physical abuse by their partners during their marriage before the onset of gambling, precipitated by conflicts unrelated to gambling, but also noted a recursive escalating pattern of couple turmoil following the onset of problem gambling.…”

Where Codependency Takes Us: A Commentary

“…The primary couple relational context plays a crucial role in sustained recovery in addiction. The relational resilience afforded by positive couplehood is a strong protective factor against relapse, according to empirical findings from several studies (Lee, 2002(Lee, , 2012a(Lee, , 2012bLee & Awosoga, 2014;Lee & Rovers, 2008). Findings indicate that these couples learnt to balance bonding with differentiation, empathy with autonomy, and honouring of self with honouring of other.…”

Shame and Sex Addiction: Through A Cinematic Lens

“…A painful childhood and dysfunctional family dynamics are often found in the background of substance use problems, gambling disorders and sex addiction [49,50]. Because of the progressive and recursively escalating nature of addictive disorders [32,48], a longterm perspective through clinical case studies and longitudinal studies is needed. Understanding the developmental course of sex addiction will illuminate if current subclinical behaviors place the person at risk for exacerbation of addictive behavior or in developing new addictive behaviors.…”

“…The course of development of various behaviors that could potentially become addictive is insufficiently studied [48]. In-depth case studies of a series of similar cases can help map the thematic history and course of problem development, its proximal and distal factors, symptoms and relationship manifestations over time [32]. A painful childhood and dysfunctional family dynamics are often found in the background of substance use problems, gambling disorders and sex addiction [49,50].…”

“…Over dinner with his date he discloses that he does not believe in getting married because "it's not realistic" and that his longest relationship was four months. Real relationships entail communication, risk of vulnerability, disclosure of self, and exposure to rejection [32,33]. Intimacy is especially difficult if one doubts one's worth, cannot self-validate, has difficulty with communication, and features a childhood history of attachment difficulties, commonly found in the background of those with addictions [14,[33][34][35][36].…”