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Science Forum Index » Psychology - Psychotherapy Forum » slot machine video game
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| Allan Adler |
 Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 3:28 pm |
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Guest
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I looked for an appropriate group for the following question and this
is the closest one I could find. If you think another group is more
appropriate, please let me know. I already looked at the various
rec.gambling.* groups and they seem to be completely eutrophied with
ads, the only sign of intelligent life being an occasional flame war.
A friend of mine (henceforth X) has a friend (henceforth Y) who has
a gambling addiction, especially involving slot machines at casinos.
Today X told me about another friend, Z, with no problems, who was given
a gift by another friend, W. The gift is a video game that simulates a
slot machine. X had an opportunity to examine the game when visiting Z
and didn't particularly like it (nor did Z, it turns out). But it occurred
to X that it might be a good idea to give Y the game in the hope that it
would serve as a kind of gambler's "nicotine patch". The theory is that
Y would stay home and play the video game instead of driving 90 minutes
to the nearest casino and losing real money.
I realize that this group is focused on psychotherapy, so let me pose
this as a therapeutic question. Are there any studies of attempts to
use devices such as this video game as a way to treat gambling addictions?
If so, can you please refer me to the relevant literature? If anyone happens
to be a therapist who has tried this approach, I'd be interested in hearing
about his/her experiences with it.
I realize that, independently of the results of studies, even if positive,
that doesn't mean that simply giving a slot machine addict the video game,
in the absence of other treatment, would do any good. But my friend X wanted
to be informed about what is known about it. Thanks.
--
Ignorantly,
Allan Adler <ara@zurich.csail.mit.edu>
* Disclaimer: I am a guest and *not* a member of the MIT CSAIL. My actions and
* comments do not reflect in any way on MIT. Also, I am nowhere near Boston. |
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| card xii |
| Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 11:08 am |
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Guest
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"Allan Adler" <ara@nestle.csail.mit.edu> wrote in message
news:y93slev9871.fsf@nestle.csail.mit.edu...
Quote:
I looked for an appropriate group for the following question and this
is the closest one I could find. If you think another group is more
appropriate, please let me know. I already looked at the various
rec.gambling.* groups and they seem to be completely eutrophied with
ads, the only sign of intelligent life being an occasional flame war.
A friend of mine (henceforth X) has a friend (henceforth Y) who has
a gambling addiction, especially involving slot machines at casinos.
Today X told me about another friend, Z, with no problems, who was given
a gift by another friend, W. The gift is a video game that simulates a
slot machine. X had an opportunity to examine the game when visiting Z
and didn't particularly like it (nor did Z, it turns out). But it occurred
to X that it might be a good idea to give Y the game in the hope that it
would serve as a kind of gambler's "nicotine patch". The theory is that
Y would stay home and play the video game instead of driving 90 minutes
to the nearest casino and losing real money.
I realize that this group is focused on psychotherapy, so let me pose
this as a therapeutic question. Are there any studies of attempts to
use devices such as this video game as a way to treat gambling addictions?
If so, can you please refer me to the relevant literature? If anyone
happens
to be a therapist who has tried this approach, I'd be interested in
hearing
about his/her experiences with it.
I realize that, independently of the results of studies, even if positive,
that doesn't mean that simply giving a slot machine addict the video game,
in the absence of other treatment, would do any good. But my friend X
wanted
to be informed about what is known about it. Thanks.
No, no, and no.
No, there are no such studies, nor would there be any rational reason for
any since
such a device would not make sense for treatment.
No, there is no relevant literature.
And no to your implied question as to whethere such an approach would be of
benefit in treatment for an addicted person. There were attempts in the
past to
use aversion in treatment of addictions. For example, alcoholics were make
to
throw up when they drank stale beer. But that it a different approach
entirely.
And it didn't really work, anyway.
card xii |
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| Linda Gore |
| Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 6:00 pm |
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Guest
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Allan Adler wrote:
Quote: I looked for an appropriate group for the following question and this
is the closest one I could find. If you think another group is more
appropriate, please let me know. I already looked at the various
rec.gambling.* groups and they seem to be completely eutrophied with
ads, the only sign of intelligent life being an occasional flame war.
A friend of mine (henceforth X) has a friend (henceforth Y) who has
a gambling addiction, especially involving slot machines at casinos.
Today X told me about another friend, Z, with no problems, who was given
a gift by another friend, W. The gift is a video game that simulates a
slot machine. X had an opportunity to examine the game when visiting Z
and didn't particularly like it (nor did Z, it turns out). But it occurred
to X that it might be a good idea to give Y the game in the hope that it
would serve as a kind of gambler's "nicotine patch". The theory is that
Y would stay home and play the video game instead of driving 90 minutes
to the nearest casino and losing real money.
I realize that this group is focused on psychotherapy, so let me pose
this as a therapeutic question. Are there any studies of attempts to
use devices such as this video game as a way to treat gambling addictions?
If so, can you please refer me to the relevant literature? If anyone happens
to be a therapist who has tried this approach, I'd be interested in hearing
about his/her experiences with it.
I realize that, independently of the results of studies, even if positive,
that doesn't mean that simply giving a slot machine addict the video game,
in the absence of other treatment, would do any good. But my friend X wanted
to be informed about what is known about it. Thanks.
No, giving a compulsive gambler a video poker game will not make a
positive difference. |
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