ALL IN...men hjälp mig ut. : En kvalitativ studie om vägen in och vägen ut ur ett spelberoende

Compulsive gambling has lately become a more common and serious issue in our society. The number of compulsive gamblers is constantly increasing alongside the growth of the gambling industry and the consequences of compulsive gambling include both economical and social disasters. Every addiction has a start, and so does compulsive gambling, which is why we chose to perform a survey in order to determine the possible causes to why individuals are drawn to gambling and what leads them into compulsive gambling, and also during which circumstances do they find the strength and will to come out of their addiction to gambling. The theories that are used in this paper include globalization, socialization, Bauman´s consumption society and empowerment, alongside the six phases of gambling by Custer and Milts, describing the way in and the way out of compulsive gambling. This survey is one of the qualitative kind, which means that the chosen theories are connected to the ten interviews that were done with gamblers of various kinds. The larger part of the interviews consist out of stories by compulsive gamblers and former compulsive gamblers, but the reader also gets to read the stories of those who gamble a whole lot, but still don´t consider themselves as compulsive gamblers and also from a treatment facility representative who has a lot of experience of treating compulsive gamblers. This paper, in conclusion, shows that there are various reasons of why individuals become gamblers and compulsive gamblers. Some do it in order to escape their everyday problems; some do it to fit in with their friend circle while others do it for the sake of excitement or for the simple reason of making money. The publicity that surrounds gambling nowadays and the technology that increases the possibility of gambling, are also important factors that can awake the interest in gambling. In order for the individual to get out of the compulsive gambling problem, more is needed then just the need to leave gambling behind. Support from one´s family and friends can be of help after the individual has fully decided to get out of his compulsive gambling issues. However, it is the individuals own free will and determination to leave the gambling behind, that is the key to a life free from compulsive gambling