title: Gamblers Anonymous as a Recovery Pathway: A Scoping Review.
abstract: Given the preponderance of Gamblers Anonymous (GA), there has been relatively little effort to explore the existing evidence base on its effectiveness as a recovery approach for problem gambling. To remedy this gap in the literature we conducted a scoping review of the literature on mutual aid for individuals experiencing problem gambling published between 2002 and 2015. We searched 13 databases and reviewed reference lists and websites of relevant organizations. We reviewed records for eligibility and extracted relevant data from eligible articles. Three reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality of the included studies using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. We identified 17 studies in 25 publications that were eligible for inclusion. Most studies were conducted in the United States, were cross-sectional in design, and involved both male and female adult participants. Results indicate that the evidence for the effectiveness of GA either as a control condition or in conjunction with formal treatment or medication is inconsistent. An emphasis on patience, using the Serenity Prayer as a way to gain acceptance of financial matters and reality, and absolute assertion of identity as a "compulsive gambler" were identified as important aspects of GA's recovery culture. There is a need for large-scale randomized controlled trials to determine GA's effectiveness, as well as research exploring the mechanisms through which GA works, barriers to GA as a recovery approach, and the status of women in the fellowship.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Inner City Health, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Andrée
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schuler
authors.affiliation: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferentzy
authors.affiliation: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Nigel E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.affiliation: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Wayne
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Inner City Health, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Kathryn E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: McIsaac
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Library, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Carolyn P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Ziegler
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Inner City Health, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada. mathesonf@smh.ca.|Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. mathesonf@smh.ca.
authors.forename: Flora I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Matheson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D062405:Motivational Interviewing / Q000379:methods*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012657:Self-Help Groups
keywords: 12-step; Gamblers Anonymous; Gambling; Mutual aid; Problem gambling