Voices of Lived Experience: Asian people’s journeys from gambling harm to recovery

This research examines the recovery experiences of Asian individuals living in New Zealand with lived experience of gambling harm. Specifically, the study explores the factors influencing gambling initiation, the processes of change from harm to recovery, the barriers and facilitators to accessing support services, and the key determinants of successful recovery. 

The study used a qualitative inductive thematic research design. Participants included 28 recovered gamblers and 12 affected family members belonging to a range of Asian ethnic groups.

The research identifies important factors influencing harmful gambling and help-seeking behaviours amongst Asian people in New Zealand, as well as key cultural factors contributing to Asian people’s gambling addiction recovery.

The results show that Asian gamblers’ recovery journeys are highly personal and dynamic and can take many forms. Common strategies used to overcome addiction included setting limits or control over gambling behaviour, staying away from high-risk gambling settings, replacing gambling with alternative healthier activities, and practicing mindfulness and meditation. Family played an essential role in gambling recovery. Religion and faith-based support were also powerful sources of healing and support during their recovery process.

The results from family members show they also embark on their own path of recovery, focusing on prioritising their own and their family’s wellbeing while supporting their loved one’s recovery process.

The implications of these findings include the need for targeted health promotion to improve early help-seeking, community engagement and self-help resources to enhance access to early intervention, provision of culturally responsive gambling harm counselling services, support groups and strong support networks for long-term recovery maintenance, and cultural sensitivity in gambling harm recognition training to strengthen gambling host responsibility.