成癮性賭徒的成因與諮商輔導有效性探討—以新加坡為例

本研究以探討新加坡成癮性賭徒的成因與戒賭輔導成效為主旨，研究的問題有：成癮性賭徒賭博的成因與失調行爲、輔導對成癮性賭徒的有效性。本研究採用質性研究之深度訪談法進行收集資料，共訪談四位前成癮性賭徒，年齡介於47嵗到64嵗，訪談後針對所獲取的資料進行分析，並對提出建議，主要發現如下：一、新加坡成癮性賭徒賭博成癮原因有四方面：第一，原生家庭的影響，包括家裏經營賭場、家長好賭、子女疏於管教、家境清寒或富裕等；第二，外在的影響，包括華人「小賭怡情」的文化、求學受挫的經歷、金錢取得容易、工作場合的賭博消遣、新加坡大耳窿借貸的便捷以及結交賭友；第三，個人性格的影響，包括逃避現實、尋求刺激、貪財不服輸、追逐物欲。第四，個人的非理性思想，包括相信總有贏囘的一天、不正確的金錢價值觀、相信賭錢可以解決問題。二、新加坡成癮性賭徒失調行爲有：工作失調、説謊瞞騙、偷竊犯法，四處借貸、家庭陷入危機、極差的生活品質、走投無路時尋短或尋求輔導等。三、新加坡成癮性賭徒戒賭輔導的成效：第一，成癮性賭徒接受戒賭輔導後獲得正向的改變和收穫，包括：擁有正確的人生方向、面對困境的勇氣、反省能力、正確的金錢價值觀、體會家庭溫暖與支持的重要以及擁有靈性的依托。第二，復賭是成癮性賭徒在戒賭歷程中面臨的最大困難。復賭誘因有與家人爭吵、大耳窿逼債、心情低落或聽人們談賭等。克制賭癮的方法有持續接受輔導、時刻自我提醒以及藉靈性力量抗賭和轉移歪念。第三，成癮性賭徒戒賭之初的渴盼是緩解債務壓力。第四，目前新加坡在戒賭輔導方面所面臨的困境是資金欠缺、戒賭機構的全職輔導員不足，難以有效應付時下日趨增多的求助賭徒。第五，家庭的支持是成癮性賭徒戒賭的有效力量。第六，「過來人」是輔導員不可缺少的有效資源，不但對其他賭徒產生良好的立即效果，對「過來人」自己的康復之路也更增穩健，而他們在付出的同時，也激發了責任感與使命感。第七，信仰力量對成癮性賭徒戒賭具有良好的功效，陪伴賭徒度過戒賭的漫長與挑戰。四、新加坡政府防賭策略的最佳成效，首推打擊大耳窿的有效力度。另外應該廢除賭場的年費制度、管制借貸的合法性與銀行信用卡的發放、善用「過來人」的有效資源、加速解決戒賭機構與輔導員不足的腳步。最後，本研究根據研究結果進行討論並提出建議，以供成癮性賭徒、專業諮商輔導員以及未來研究者之參考。關鍵字：成癮性賭徒、「過來人」、諮商輔導、有效性

關鍵字

成癮性賭徒；「過來人」；諮商輔導；有效性

並列摘要

This research aims to investigate and analysis the factors causing excessive and uncontrolled gambling among Singaporeans and the positive impact that professional counselling have on these interviewees. Four individuals, aged 45-65 were extensively interviewed. Analysis and discussion were carried out after those interviews. 1) Singaporeans become addicted to gambling due to 4 main reasons. The paramount issue is when one’s family members have the habit of gambling, this is especially true for Singaporean-Chinese families, as it is part of the Chinese culture and heritage. The second reason is external influences such as gambling facilities in the neighbourhood vicinity, overhearing about gambling news at the work place and peer pressure. Followed by personal issues, this includes seeing gambling as an avenue to escape from the stressful and demanding reality, looking for cheap thrill, unsatisfying greed and the hatred of “losing” in a gamble. Last but not least, has got to do with one having the incorrect mentality about monetary values and the delusional thought that “one fine day, I will win and become a millionaire” 2) There is a myriad of tell-tale signs of a gambling addict. These includes under-performing at work, increased frequency of lying, higher tendency to break the law, constantly searching for avenues for loans, be it legal or illegal, a huge drop in personal standard of life and/or quality of living and also having suicidal thoughts. 3) The effectiveness and impact that professional counselling has on gambling addicts. Firstly, it is proven that victims whom accepted professional counselling usually achieved positive results such as having a proper goal in life, the courage to face the music, the ability to introspect, understanding the right monetary principles and most importantly, experiencing the love and support from ones family members. Secondly, the most prominent setback in the struggle against addictive gambling is the tendency of a relapse. The reason of a relapse ranges from family related disputes, pressure from illegal money-lenders (loan sharks), merely in an emotional or depressed state and also the temptations from overhearing conversations with regards to gambling. All of the above contribute to a relapse. The methods employed to curb the urge to gamble includes continual and consistent counselling sessions, constant self-reminder, engaging in alternative healthy activities to occupy the human mind to preventing it from drifting back to the delusional world of gambling and also plenty of will power. Thirdly, the thought of clearing the debts incurred are often the paramount issue that gambling addicts want to sort out after they calls it quit. Fourthly, the problem that counselling centres in Singapore are facing are mainly the lack of funds and shortage of full-time personnel, this is especially true and alarming in a country with a steadily surging number of gambling addicts. Fifth, the support from family members is a key source of strength and determination for the gambling addicts. Sixth, the importance of having ex-gambling addicts as staffs and alumni far outweighs its detriments. It not only has a positive impact on victims, it is also extremely beneficial for the mind and soul of the ex-gambling addicts themselves who has just won the battle against gambling addiction. Seventh, one cannot deny that religion is a powerful asset for gambling-addicts and has advantageous effects on their fight against addictive gambling. 4) The government of Singapore has a solid policy on gambling. This includes the increased pressure and crack down on illegal money-lenders (loan shark), banishing the current annual casino membership, tightening the rules and regulations on legal money-lenders and the issuing of credit card by banks, taping on the valuable experiences and advantages of the “ex-gambling addict” and also taking firm actions on rectifying the shortcomings of anti-gambling counselling centres as mentioned earlier. Lastly, this research is based on the results obtained from the interviews conducted. Analysis and advices are than carried out accordingly. This research article may be used as a reference material for the benefits of future readers. Key words: Gambling addict, ex-gambling addict, professional counselling, effectiveness