Skip to main content
Log in

Couples treatment issues for recovering male compulsive gamblers and their partners

  • Articles
  • Published:
Journal of Gambling Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Until recently, the couple relationship has been relatively neglected in both clinical reports and systematic research in the compulsive gambling literature. This article suggests the need for family and intergenerational assessment as well as early interventions within the couple system. The following treatment issues are discussed: multiple addictions; finances; control and power; anger; sexuality; and emotional intimacy. Overcoming deficits in intimacy is viewed as central to couples recovery.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adkins, B.J., Rugle, L.J. & Taber, J.I. (1985, November).A note on sexual addiction among compulsive gamblers. Paper presented at The First National Conference on Gambling Behavior, New York City.

  • Beattie, M. (1987).Codependent no more. New York: Harper & Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd, W.H., & Bolen, D.W. (1970). The compulsive gambler and spouse in group psychotherapy.International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 20, 77–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carnes, P. (1989).Contrary to love: Helping the sexual addict. Minneapolis: ComCare Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Custer, R.L. & Milt, H. (1985).When luck runs out. Facts on File: New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daghestani, A.N. (1987). Impotence associated with compulsive gambling.Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 48, 115–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Darvas, S.F. (1981, October).The spouse in treatment. Paper presented at the Fifth National Conference on Gambling and Risk Taking: Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

  • Galdston, I. (1961). The gambler and his love.American Journal of Psychiatry.117, 553–555.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorski, T. (1982).Counseling for relapse prevention. Independence Press: Independence, Missouri.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heineman, M. (1987). A comparison: The treatment of wives of alcoholics with the treatment of wives of pathological gamblers.Journal of Gambling Behavior, 3, 27–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, D.F. (1989). Children of problem gamblers.Journal of Gambling Behavior, 5, 261–268.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, H.S. (1983).The evaluation of sexual disorders. New York: Brunner/Mazel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesieur, H.R., Blume, S.B. & Zoppa, R.M. (1986). Alcoholism, drug abuse and gambling.Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 10, 33–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesieur, H.R. & Klein, R. (1987). Pathological gambling among high school students.Addictive Behaviors.12, 129–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesieur, H.R. (1988). The female pathological gambler. In W.R. Eadington (Ed.)Gambling Studies: Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Gambling and Risk Taking, (pp. 230–258). Reno, Nevada: University of Nevada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorenz, V.C. (1987). Family dynamics of pathological gamblers. In T. Galski (ed.)The handbook of pathological gambling (pp. 71–88). Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorenz, V.C. & Yaffee, R.A. (1988). Pathological gambling: Psychosomatic, emotional and marital difficulties as reported by the spouse.Journal of Gambling Behavior, 4, 13–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorenz, V.C. & Yaffee, R.A. (1989). Pathological gamblers and their spouses: Problems in interaction.Journal of Gambling Behavior, 3, 113–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marlatt, G.A. & Gordon, J.R. (Eds.). (1985).Relapse prevention: Maintenance strategies in the treatment of addictive behaviors. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramirez, L.F., McCormick, R.A., Russo, A.M. & Taber, J.I. (1983). Patterns of substance abuse in pathological gamblers undergoing treatment.Addictive Behaviors, 8, 425–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenthal, R.J. (1987). The psychodynamics of pathological gambling: A review of the literature. In T. Galski (Ed.).The handbook of pathological gambling (pp. 41–70). Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinberg, M.A. (1985). Pathological Gambling: Developing intimacy in the couple relationship. In W.R. Eadington (ed.)Gambling research: Proceedings of the Sixth National Conference on Gambling and Risk Taking, Vol. V. (pp. 176–184). Bureau of Business and Economic Research, University of Nevada, Reno.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinberg, M.A. (1987, May).Developing emotional and sexual intimacy in couples in which the husband is a recovering compulsive gambler. Paper presented at the Twentieth Annual Meeting of the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists, New York City.

  • Steinberg, M.A. (1989, June).Gambling behavior among high school students in Connecticut. Paper presented at the Fourth National Conference on Compulsive Gambling, Des Moine, Iowa.

  • Steinberg, M.A. (1990). Sexual addiction and compulsive gambling.American Journal of Preventive Psychiatry and Neurology, 2, 39–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinberg, M.A., Kosten, T.A. & Rounsaville, B.J. (1992). Cocaine abuse and pathological gambling.The American Journal on the Addictions, 1, 121–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taber, J.I. (1983, April).Compulsive gambling and “substitution therapy”. Paper presented at the Fifth Annual Northwestern Conclave of Gamblers Anonymous, Portland, Oregon.

  • Tepperman, J.H. (1985). The effectiveness of short-term group therapy upon the pathological gambler and wife.Journal of Gambling Behavior, 1, 119–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wildman, R.W. (1989). Pathological gambling: Marital-familial factors, implications, and treatments.Journal of Gambling Behavior, 5, 293–301.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Steinberg, M.A. Couples treatment issues for recovering male compulsive gamblers and their partners. J Gambling Stud 9, 153–167 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01014865

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01014865

Keywords

Navigation