Recovery of gamblers anonymous members under the COVID-19 social distancing policy in South Korea

ABSTRACT People with a gambling problem, especially those participating in Gamblers Anonymous (GA), are likely to suffer under social distancing policies necessitated to curb the spread of COVID-19. Accordingly, this study identified difficulties in recovery conditions and strategies related to GA under the social distancing policy in Korea using a case study approach. Following the case study process, categorical aggregation and direct interpretation were implemented to analyse nine cases, and an integrated main theme, the spontaneous efforts of GA participants to recover under the social distancing policy, was discovered with seven sub-themes. Based on the findings, difficulties, subjectivity, and new recovery strategies of GA participants were identified, and political and practical implications for recovery were drawn.