EmpowerHer Recovery Network
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Extern Problem Gambling has launched a new free service dedicated to helping women experiencing harm, from their own gambling, on the island of Ireland. The EmpowerHER Recovery Network will offer women a safe and non-judgmental space to work alongside our Expert by Experience, Claire Donegan, who will help you through your recovery journey.
Details of how to access the service or arrange a call for more information, are available at the bottom of this page. |
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The Problem
The most recent report published by the ESRI in 2023, found that harmful gambling is present in 2.9% of the adult female population of Ireland. This figure shows an increase of ten times the figure published in the previous report on gambling in Ireland from 2019, carried out by the Health Research Board. The publication of this report has led to the realisation that women in Ireland are highly under-represented within treatment and support services, and that there is an urgent need for female-specific supports for women experiencing gambling harm.
There are of course many reasons for the rise in gambling harm amongst women. Though initial engagement with gambling will vary from person to person, research suggests that some of the following may be prominent factors leading to problematic gambling behaviour for women:
‘Women predominantly gamble online, with gambling products marketed to women that allow them to play fast-paced games continuously. Such gambling activity has been recognised as highly addictive, allowing women to escape from their problems such as mental and physical ill-health, abusive relationships and caring responsibilities, burdens that unequally fall upon women and that reflect continuing gender inequalities and the patriarchal nature of contemporary society.’
External factors also play a prominent role in the development of harmful gambling behaviour in women, specifically with regard to the glamorization of gambling by the industry. Gendered marketing has often been employed to attract women to gambling sites through the use of female celebrity endorsements and targeted campaigns aimed at different groups of women. A 2022 Report published by the University of Bristol highlights this type of marketing, further exploring the design and platforms used to promote such products:
‘Product design and channel can influence the way in which women engage with gambling... the accessibility and anonymity of online gambling may reduce stigma of women participating.’
There are of course many reasons for the rise in gambling harm amongst women. Though initial engagement with gambling will vary from person to person, research suggests that some of the following may be prominent factors leading to problematic gambling behaviour for women:
- Boredom
- Escapism
- Loneliness
- Social isolation
- Depression
- Financial issues
- Domestic abuse
- Glamorisation of gambling products
- Lack of understanding around harmful gambling
- Safety seeking
‘Women predominantly gamble online, with gambling products marketed to women that allow them to play fast-paced games continuously. Such gambling activity has been recognised as highly addictive, allowing women to escape from their problems such as mental and physical ill-health, abusive relationships and caring responsibilities, burdens that unequally fall upon women and that reflect continuing gender inequalities and the patriarchal nature of contemporary society.’
External factors also play a prominent role in the development of harmful gambling behaviour in women, specifically with regard to the glamorization of gambling by the industry. Gendered marketing has often been employed to attract women to gambling sites through the use of female celebrity endorsements and targeted campaigns aimed at different groups of women. A 2022 Report published by the University of Bristol highlights this type of marketing, further exploring the design and platforms used to promote such products:
‘Product design and channel can influence the way in which women engage with gambling... the accessibility and anonymity of online gambling may reduce stigma of women participating.’
The Impact
Harmful gambling behaviour can go unnoticed for long periods of time, often due to denial of the severity of the issue by the gambler themselves. Nonetheless, whether a woman is aware of the extent of the issue or not, there will often be mounting signs that their life is unravelling as a result of their harmful gambling. This may become evident through some or all of the following occurrences:
Aside from the detrimental effects that harmful gambling can have on women and their families, women are also faced with many barriers to accessing appropriate treatment and support services. Some of the barriers faced by women may include: lack of awareness of available services, lack of awareness of the potentially harmful nature of gambling, lack of access to services due to travel/ financial restrictions, inability to avail of services due to family/ childcare commitments, fear of judgement from others, and also feelings of stigma and shame.
- Financial harm and mounting debt
- Loss of autonomy due to financial issues
- Relationship problems
- Physical and mental health problems
- Reduced performance and productivity
- Increased lying about gambling activities
- Paranoia and depression
- Resorting to criminal activity to fund gambling
- Suicidal ideation
Aside from the detrimental effects that harmful gambling can have on women and their families, women are also faced with many barriers to accessing appropriate treatment and support services. Some of the barriers faced by women may include: lack of awareness of available services, lack of awareness of the potentially harmful nature of gambling, lack of access to services due to travel/ financial restrictions, inability to avail of services due to family/ childcare commitments, fear of judgement from others, and also feelings of stigma and shame.
Accessing Support
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The EmpowerHER Recovery Network has been created to combat the urgent need for female-specific support for harmful gambling in Ireland. Designed and delivered by lived experience, the service aims to identify and address the needs of women experiencing gambling harm by providing a host of free supports, including:
You can call or text me, in complete confidence, on 00353 86 206 1394 or email me using the contact form, below. If you would like to learn more about the EmpowerHER Recovery Network, please feel free to book in a free 15-minute call using the following link: Book time with Claire Donegan: 15 minutes meeting To sign up for One-to-One Recovery Coaching, please fill out the below form: https://forms.office.com/e/YGvpqH4iGH If you would like to join the EmpowerHER Recovery Network Group Support Meeting, please fill out the below form: https://forms.office.com/e/jWHswMVUf9 |
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Claire Donegan
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Gambling Addiction Recovery Coach
Claire is a Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist and a Practitioner of Coaching with Neuroscience who has spent the past four years working in the gambling harm prevention, research, and support space, both nationally and internationally. Claire is a member of the Gamble Aware Research Advisory Group, the GREO Community Investment Program Advisory Committee, and the Lived Experience Panel for the National Centre for Social Research. Before entering recovery in July 2020, Claire spent nearly a decade of her life in the grips of gambling and as such, is deeply passionate about helping others to access recovery. Claire is an advocate for the involvement of lived experience in all aspects of harmful gambling prevention and in areas such as research, education, and treatment services. |
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