I put off reading Atlas of the Heart for a long time. So, yes, this Atlas of the Heart book review starts with me admitting I should have read it sooner.

I think everyone knows Brené Brown at this point. The TED Talk. The “shame lady” who then moved into working more closely with organizations and corporations.

When popular writers in this realm get too popular, I normally don’t like their later works. Sometimes it starts to feel like there was a book deal and there simply had to be another book.

So Atlas of the Heart sat on my pile of books to read for a long time. It’s a big pile. It never went with me on an airplane because it’s a hardcover and just too darn heavy to take with me.

One day I finally committed to reading a few pages every morning with my coffee.

And then I got really mad at myself for waiting so long.

Atlas of the Heart Book Review: An Emotion Dictionary

Atlas of the Heart is, literally, an emotion dictionary.

If you are very in touch with your feelings, you may not need this book. But most of my clients—at least early in therapy—have no idea what they are feeling. Feelings charts get passed around during group check-ins, and there is a lot of “I don’t know” going on.

I took pages of notes while I read this book, and I’ve brought those notes into group so we can talk about feelings and what they actually are. It is so helpful.

That is really the value of the book for me. A feelings chart can give someone a list of words, but we still have to talk about what those words actually mean and how one feeling is different from another. Atlas of the Heart gives us more to work with in those conversations.

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Do you have trouble identifying or expressing what you feel? The TAS-20 is a validated self-report assessment that measures alexithymia and may help you better understand your emotional awareness.

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Why I Recommend Atlas of the Heart

FEELINGS!!!!!

I once had a graduate counseling student ask why we had to talk so much about feelings.

Well, it’s therapy. That’s what it is (mostly) all about!

That is what makes Atlas of the Heart so useful to me. It gives us more language for the part of therapy people so often struggle to name.

Related reading: The Four Agreements: 3 Reasons I Recommend It.

Stock photo by Noha Badawi on Unsplash.

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For my first Dr. Jen’s book suggestion, I’m starting with The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, one of the books I talked about in group this week.

Don’t Take Anything Personally

By noon on Monday, I’d already quoted this agreement.

A client in group was relating a story about how his cousin’s behavior had hurt his feelings. He thought he had, in some way, done something to offend her.

When they finally had a chance to talk about it, the slight wasn’t a slight at all. His cousin was keeping a secret she was worried about sharing.

Cue The Four Agreements and a good discussion of how we personalize things that aren’t about us at all.

Why I Recommend The Four Agreements

1. It’s a short read. There’s always a better chance of a client following through with a reading suggestion if it’s short and doesn’t feel daunting.
2. The agreements speak to values that apply to all areas of life. I specialize in treating addiction and problematic sexual behavior, but the principles are helpful for anyone, even if they aren’t struggling with these issues.
3. The agreements are just a great creed to live life by.

Related reading: Another Book on Boundaries.

Stock photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash.

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The Search for Solutions

“Chemsex,” the use of psychoactive drugs to enhance sex, is a recognized public health concern due to its association with increased risks of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

In response, a range of programs, from counseling to medication, have been developed to address these risks. The common assumption is that the primary goal of these programs is to help individuals reduce or stop the drug use associated with chemsex.

However, a major new systematic review and meta-analysis that synthesized the results of 12 different studies challenges this assumption, revealing a more nuanced and surprising picture of what “success” actually looks like in this area. 

Takeaway #1: Chemsex Interventions Target a Specific Risk, Not the Drug Use Itself 

The single most effective outcome identified by the review was a clear and significant victory for public health: bio-behavioral interventions were found to substantially decrease the number of episodes of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with serodiscordant partners, or partners with a different HIV status, a result so strong it was highly statistically significant (p<0.001). 

However, in what may be the most counter-intuitive finding, the review also concluded that the interventions did not lead to a reduction in the use of psychoactive substances during sexual activities.

This is a significant finding because it reframes the goal of these interventions from one of drug abstinence to one of harm reduction. The data shows that the programs are succeeding at reducing a primary risk factor for HIV transmission, even if they don’t stop the underlying drug use itself.

They are making a high-risk behavior safer. 

Bio-behavioral chemsex interventions reduce the risk of UAI with serodiscordant partners, a high-risk factor for HIV seroconversion. 

Takeaway #2: The Evidence is Narrower and More Fragile Than It Appears 

While the primary finding is promising, the review also reveals critical limitations in the current body of research, suggesting the evidence is not as robust as it might seem. 

• Geographic Bias: All 12 studies included in the meta-analysis were conducted in the USA. This raises what the review calls “concerns regarding the generalisability of these findings to other countries” in Europe, Asia, and Australia where chemsex is also practiced.
• Drug-Specific Focus: Chemsex is known to involve several drugs, including mephedrone and GHB/GBL. Yet, 11 of the 12 studies focused exclusively on methamphetamine use. The review notes this highlights a “dearth of research” for interventions targeting other relevant substances.
• Risk of Bias: The quality of the evidence is a concern. The majority of the studies (67%) were rated as having a “high risk of overall bias.” Key issues included a reliance on participants self-reporting their behaviors and high drop-out rates, which tempers confidence in the overall conclusions. 

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Takeaway #3: Beyond a Single HIV Risk Factor, the Benefits Remain Unclear 

While the interventions successfully reduced UAI with serodiscordant partners, their impact on other risky behaviors was more ambiguous.

The review found that interventions led to a decrease in the total number of sexual partners and the number of partners with whom UAI occurred, but these reductions were not large enough to be statistically significant.

Specifically, the review could not establish a statistically significant link between the interventions and outcomes such as the total number of sexual partners, the number of partners where UAI took place, the overall number of episodes of UAI, or the frequency of sex involving substance use.

This finding does not mean the interventions are failures. Rather, it suggests they are highly targeted in their effect, acting on one very specific, high-stakes behavior rather than serving as a “magic bullet” for all behaviors associated with chemsex. 

Conclusion: Reframing the Success of Chemsex Interventions

This comprehensive review sends a clear message: chemsex interventions show tangible promise for reducing a critical HIV risk behavior, even if they don’t reduce drug use itself.

At the same time, the scientific evidence supporting these interventions has significant gaps, including a narrow geographic and substance focus and a high risk of bias in the underlying studies. The review presents a paradox: the most successful interventions are the ones that ignore the most obvious target: drug use and, instead, focus on mitigating its most dangerous consequences. 

As we move forward, should the goal of public health be focused less on abstinence and more on providing tools that demonstrably make risky behaviors safer?

Are you a professional looking to stay up-to-date with the latest information on, sex addiction, trauma, and mental health news and research? Or maybe you’re looking for continuing education courses? stay up-to-date with all of Dr. Jen’s work through her practice’s newsletter!

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The Surprising Psychology of Sports Gambling 

Are you thinking about placing a little wager on a football game this holiday season? With the rapid growth and normalization of sports gambling across the United States and Canada, betting on a game is more common than ever. But what are the real reasons people gamble?

Most would assume it’s simply for fun, to make a game more exciting, or for the chance to win money. But what if the most important metric for gambling risk isn’t on a bank statement, but in the unseen emotions driving the bet? 

A recent study of over 900 sports bettors reveals a more complex picture, uncovering deeper psychological motivations that separate casual fun from problematic behavior. The findings challenge our basic assumptions about gambling risk. This article will break down the five most impactful takeaways from this research, revealing that the “why” behind a bet is far more important than the “how much.” 

1. Your Reason for Betting Matters More Than How Much You Spend 

One of the study’s most unexpected findings was the relationship between mental health, betting habits, and gambling problems. The research showed that greater anxiety and depression were strongly linked to the severity of a person’s gambling problems. However, these emotional states were not significantly related to the total amount of money a person spent or the total number of bets they made. 

This insight reframes how we should think about risk. It’s not just about the financial footprint of betting, but the emotional impetus behind it. 

According to the study, the true indicator of risk isn’t found in a bettor’s bank statement, but in the emotional state that drives them to bet in the first place. 

This is a critical distinction. It shifts the focus from a purely financial view of problem gambling to a psychological one, suggesting that the “why” you bet is a more telling sign of risk than the “how much” you spend.

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2. The Crucial Difference: Gambling for Fun vs. Betting to Escape

The study identified two key motivations that drive people to bet, each with vastly different outcomes: 

• Enhancement Motives: Betting to increase positive emotions. This is the classic reason—placing a wager to add to the thrill and enjoyment of watching a game. 
• Coping Motives: Betting to reduce or escape from negative feelings, such as anxiety, stress, or depression. 

The results linked to each motive were counter-intuitive.

This revealed a fascinating paradox: while betting to enhance the fun of a game was linked to placing bets more often, it was simultaneously associated with fewer gambling problems. This suggests a clear psychological dividing line between frequent, low-risk engagement and problematic, high-risk behavior. 

In stark contrast, betting to cope was the single strongest pathway linking pre-existing anxiety and depression to serious gambling problems.

Crucially, this connection held true even when the researchers accounted for other potential drivers like betting for social or financial reasons, isolating ‘coping’ as the most dangerous motivation. This finding strongly supports the “emotionally vulnerable pathway” model of problem gambling, where individuals use gambling as a maladaptive strategy to manage emotional distress. 

3. “In-Play” Gambling Is a Different Beast Entirely

“In-play” sports betting, defined as making wagers during a live game, has exploded in popularity. The study’s findings on this specific group were stark. Compared to bettors who only place wagers before a game starts (single-event or traditional bettors), in-play bettors reported: 

• Significantly higher levels of problem gambling.
• Significantly higher scores for both anxiety and depression.
• A higher frequency of betting.

This raises a critical question for researchers: does the high-speed, constant-feedback nature of in-play betting actively create psychological distress, or does it primarily attract individuals already struggling with anxiety and depression who are seeking a powerful distraction? 

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4. For Sports Bettors, Anxiety and Depression Are Often Intertwined 

The research observed that in this sample of sports bettors, depression and anxiety were “highly correlated.” In simple terms, participants who scored high on one tended to score high on the other. 

The researchers noted that this suggests these conditions are more likely to be comorbid—or occur together—in people who bet on sports. The connection was so strong that the effects of anxiety and depression on gambling behaviors often overlapped. This reinforces the concept of a combined “emotional vulnerability” that can fuel problematic gambling, rather than a single, isolated mental health issue.

5. The Psychological Blueprint Is Surprisingly Consistent Across Genders

The study also examined differences between men and women, revealing a nuanced picture. On the surface, there were clear differences in behavior and emotional states: 

• Men engaged in sports betting on significantly more days than women.
• Women reported significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, and betting for social and coping reasons.

Despite these differences in emotional states and motivations, men and women reported statistically similar levels of overall gambling problems. 

The more profound finding was that despite these surface-level differences, the underlying psychological model was the same for both groups.

The core pathways showing how anxiety, depression, and motives lead to gambling problems did not differ between men and women. This suggests that when it comes to the fundamental emotional drivers of problem gambling, gender may not change the blueprint. Interventions, therefore, can likely focus on these consistent psychological drivers for everyone. 

Conclusion

This research cuts through the noise of wins, losses, and dollar amounts to deliver a clear message:

Understanding the motivation behind gambling is the key to understanding the risk of it becoming a problem.

While many people bet to enhance their enjoyment of a sport with few negative consequences, the data points to a clear red flag:

The strongest pathway to serious gambling problems isn’t rooted in how much money is spent, but in whether the bettor is motivated by a need to cope with or escape from negative emotions. 

Before placing your next bet, it might be worth asking: am I doing this to enhance my fun, or to escape my feelings?

Drop a comment and let us know if you were able to identify any motivations you may have for acting out this holiday season.

Are you a professional looking to stay up-to-date with the latest information on, sex addiction, trauma, and mental health news and research? Or maybe you’re looking for continuing education courses? stay up-to-date with all of Dr. Jen’s work through her practice’s newsletter!

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The post Holiday Gambling: Why You Bet Matters More Than How Much first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.

Food Addiction: The “Addiction” We All Talk About

Many of us have joked about being “addicted” to ice cream or chips, describing an intense craving that feels impossible to resist. This common experience is at the heart of a serious scientific debate: Is Food Addiction (FA) a genuine addiction, similar to substance addiction? 

The conversation has grown more complex as modern definitions of addiction have expanded.

Influential bodies like the American Society of Addiction Medicine no longer require the ingestion of a psychoactive substance for something to be considered an addiction. Similarly, behavioral addictions like gambling disorder are now formally recognized. This has intensified the scientific inquiry into whether addictive-like eating fits the same mold. 

To find answers, a recent longitudinal study looked at the role of emotion regulation, how we handle our feelings, to compare food addiction and substance misuse.

The findings were surprising, revealing critical differences in the emotional pathways that drive these behaviors. This article breaks down the three most impactful takeaways that challenge what we think we know about food addiction.

1. The Counter-Intuitive Role of Positive Emotions in Food Addiction

Takeaway 1: Acting on a Good Mood Predicts Substance Misuse, But Deters Food Addiction.

One of the study’s most unexpected findings relates to “positive urgency.” It’s described as a psychological trait. One defined as the tendency to act impulsively when experiencing strong positive emotions, like feeling overjoyed or extremely happy.

The research, which tracked women over six months, found a striking divergence.

A one-unit increase in a person’s positive urgency score was associated with: 

• A 100% to 200% increase in the odds of future alcohol or drug-related problems. 
• A 50% decrease in the odds of future food addiction. 

Why would feeling good lead to such different outcomes?

The researchers suggest it comes down to the reinforcing power of the substance or behavior.

Individuals high in positive urgency may seek to amplify or extend their good feelings, and psychoactive substances are far more effective at this than food.

The study’s authors explain: Women with greater positive urgency may tend to select psychoactive substances such as alcohol or drugs that can more effectively amplify or prolong their positive feelings, rather than food. Food’s effects are less potent and thus less reinforcing than psychoactive substances. 

This discovery is significant because it highlights a fundamental difference in the emotional triggers for food addiction versus substance misuse.

While a good mood might increase the risk for substance misuse, it appears to have the opposite effect on addictive-like eating.

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2. How We Judge Our Feelings Matter… But Differently

Takeaway 2: Not Accepting Your Negative Emotions Has Opposite Effects on Food Addiction vs. Alcohol-Related Problems

Another key aspect of emotion regulation is the “non-acceptance of one’s negative emotions.”

This is the tendency to have self-critical or judgmental reactions like shame, guilt, or frustration to your own distressing feelings. 

Here again, the study found that this trait was linked to food addiction and alcohol-related problems in opposite ways: 

• Non-acceptance was associated with more severe food addiction symptoms.
• Non-acceptance was associated with less severe alcohol-related problems.

The researchers hypothesize that this difference may be rooted in social stigma.

Women who feel ashamed of their negative emotions might turn to food as a coping mechanism because overeating is often viewed as less stigmatized than alcohol misuse.

The study references other research showing that the label “food addict” is perceived as less shameful than “substance or alcohol addiction.” This suggests that societal norms and the fear of judgment can profoundly shape which coping behaviors we adopt.

3. The Complicated Truth About Negative Moods and Food Addiction

Takeaway 3: The Link Between Bad Moods and Bingeing Isn’t a Simple One

The idea that we eat to soothe bad feelings, often called “emotional eating,” is a popular one. This is related to the concept of “negative urgency,” or the tendency to act impulsively when experiencing strong negative emotions. 

At first glance, the study’s data seemed to support this common belief.

When looking at a single point in time, the researchers found that negative urgency was a common link between both food addiction and substance misuse. 

However, when they analyzed the data over time in a more sophisticated multivariate model, the picture changed dramatically.

After controlling for other emotion-regulation factors, negative urgency was not a significant predictor of future food addiction or substance misuse problems. 

This doesn’t mean bad moods are irrelevant.

Rather, it suggests that negative urgency might be a “fellow traveler.” It’s present alongside the true driver, but not in the driver’s seat itself.

When the researchers statistically controlled for the powerful effect of positive urgency, the predictive signal from negative urgency faded away. This finding challenges the simple narrative that “feeling bad leads to addiction” and reveals that, over the long term, other emotional factors are far more influential.

Conclusion: A Different Kind of Struggle

While food addiction and substance addiction share surface-level similarities like cravings and loss of control, this new research paints a picture of two surprisingly different psychological profiles.

One is characterized by impulsivity in good times, which predicts substance misuse, while the other is marked by self-judgment in bad times, which predicts addictive-like eating.

This challenges the one-size-fits-all model of addiction. 

The study’s overall conclusion is clear: “These findings suggest that FA [Food Addiction] is not associated with the same key deficits in emotion regulation as SA [Substance Addiction].” 

This leaves us with a critical question to consider:

If the emotional drivers for food addiction and substance addiction are so different, does this mean we need to rethink how we talk about, prevent, and treat addictive-like eating? 

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The post Is Food Addiction Real? Just in Time for Thanksgiving! first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.

We often think of addiction as a private, grueling battle of willpower.

Whether it’s a dependency on a substance, a behavior like gambling, or even an unhealthy pattern in a relationship, the prevailing narrative suggests that breaking free is a matter of pure, individual strength.

If you just try hard enough, you can overcome it. If you fail, it’s a personal failing. 

But what if this framework is fundamentally flawed? A recent, year-long study offers a more structured, hopeful, and evidence-based path to recovery.

Researchers applied a specific form of therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to individuals struggling with a range of addictions and discovered that the right tools can do more than just help people cope; they can fundamentally transform their lives.

This year-long study is particularly significant because it was conducted in Kazakhstan, a region where evidence-based psychotherapy is still emerging and social stigma can be a major barrier to recovery. 

This article distills the four most impactful takeaways from this groundbreaking research. It reveals how a systematic therapeutic approach can lead to profound, measurable life changes, challenging the myth that recovery is simply a matter of gritting your teeth and pushing through. 

Lesson 1: The Change to Isn’t Small, It’s Transformative

While we might expect therapy to offer some benefit, the sheer magnitude of improvement seen in this study was extraordinary.

Participants who received Cognitive Behavioral Therapy didn’t just get slightly better; they experienced a dramatic and measurable enhancement in their overall well-being. 

The study used the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life scale (WHOQOL-BREF), which measures well-being across four key areas. The results were staggering.

On average, the experimental groups saw their quality of life scores jump from the low 40s to the mid-70s on a 100-point scale. To put that in concrete terms, participants with alcohol use disorder went from an average score of 42.31 before therapy to 74.47 after one year.

This isn’t just a number on a chart; it represents a profound shift from a life constrained by addiction to one filled with new possibilities and well-being. 

Meanwhile, the control groups, those who did not receive CBT, saw no meaningful improvement in their quality of life, with their average scores remaining essentially unchanged.

This powerful contrast repositions recovery as a genuine opportunity to build a measurably better and more satisfying life.

It’s about building a life so full and satisfying that the addiction no longer has room to thrive. 

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Beyond Willpower Lesson 2: The Same Tools Can Fix Different Problems

One of the most compelling aspects of the study was its breadth.

Researchers applied the same core therapeutic model, CBT, to four very different challenges:

• Alcohol use disorder
• Drug addiction
• Gambling disorder
• Codependency

The key finding was that CBT was highly effective across the board. 

For every single group that received therapy, there was a statistically significant reduction in the severity of their addiction. The data paints a clear picture of this versatility: 

• For drug addiction, the experimental group’s average severity score dropped from 7.96 (signifying harmful use) down to 3.14 (representing low-risk or minimal use). 
• For gambling disorder, the average severity score plummeted from a “severe” 39.55 to a “mild or moderate” 14.36. 

This suggests that no matter the substance or behavior, the underlying challenge is often the same: learning to recognize triggers, challenge automatic negative thoughts, and develop new, healthier coping strategies.

CBT provides a toolkit for rewiring these exact processes, effectively helping people move from a place of denial or ambivalence into decisive action and long-term maintenance. 

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Lesson 3: Codependency Isn’t Just a “Relationship Problem.” It’s Treatable.

The study took the significant step of including codependency, an excessive emotional or psychological dependence on a partner, often linked to that partner’s addiction, alongside clinical addictions. While codependency is not formally classified as a standalone diagnosis in major manuals like the DSM-5-TR, the researchers recognized it as a clinically significant phenomenon that is actively addressed in rehabilitation. 

The results were a powerful validation of this approach.

The experimental group for codependency saw their average severity scores drop from a “high level” of 69.12 to a “moderate or low level” of 31.44. The control group, in stark contrast, showed no significant change.

For anyone who has felt trapped in a dynamic of supporting someone else’s addiction at the expense of their own well-being, this finding is a beacon of hope. 

This is a crucial takeaway.

It frames the struggle of codependency not as a character flaw or an intractable relationship dynamic, but as a treatable condition. It offers empowerment and a clear path toward building greater independence, self-esteem, and healthier relationship dynamics. 

Beyond Willpower Lesson 4: Recovery Isn’t Just Stopping, It’s a Total Life Upgrade

The study’s design was brilliant in its simplicity: it measured success in two ways. It tracked the reduction of the negative (addiction severity) and the increase of the positive (overall quality of life). The results showed that these two things are deeply intertwined. 

The “quality of life” assessment wasn’t a vague feeling of happiness; it was a concrete evaluation of four essential domains of life: 

• Physical Health: Including energy and fatigue, quality of sleep, and even physical mobility. 
• Psychological Health: Covering everything from positive feelings and self-esteem to the ability to concentrate and learn new things. 
• Social Relationships: Examining the quality of personal relationships, the strength of social support networks, and even sexual activity. 
• Environment: Looking at practical, real-world factors like financial security, physical safety, the comfort of one’s home, and access to healthcare. 

The participants who underwent CBT saw significant improvements across all of these areas. This demonstrates that effective treatment doesn’t just happen in a therapist’s office. It radiates outward, improving every facet of a person’s existence.

True recovery, as this study shows, is about building a life that is so robust and fulfilling that the old addictive behaviors no longer hold the same power or appeal. 

Conclusion: A New Framework for Change

The findings from this study in Kazakhstan provide a powerful, evidence-based roadmap for recovery that moves far beyond the limited concept of willpower.

It shows that addiction, in its many forms, is not a moral failing but a condition that responds remarkably well to structured, compassionate, and science-backed intervention. 

By focusing on cognitive and behavioral strategies, individuals can achieve not just abstinence, but a transformative and holistic improvement in their lives. The tools exist, the evidence is clear, and the potential for change is immense.

This research leaves us with a vital question to consider: 

If we can treat these complex issues so effectively, what does that change about how we should approach mental health and personal growth in our own lives? 

Are you a professional looking to stay up-to-date with the latest information on, sex addiction, trauma, and mental health news and research? Or maybe you’re looking for continuing education courses? stay up-to-date with all of Dr. Jen’s work through her practice’s newsletter!

Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? consult with a professional.

Are you looking for more reputable, data-backed information on sexual addiction? The Mitigation Aide Research Archive is an excellent source for executive summaries of research studies.

The post Beyond Willpower in Addiction: 4 Powerful Lessons first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.

The Four-Year Silence: 5 Surprising Truths About the Path to Gambling Recovery

When we think of gambling recovery, or any kind of addiction recovery, we often picture a dramatic “rock bottom” moment: a single, catastrophic event that forces a person to finally seek help.

While this makes for a compelling narrative, the reality is often quieter, slower, and much more complex. For individuals struggling with problem gambling, the journey from awareness to action is a long, hidden descent. 

A new Canadian study published in Addictive Behaviors pulls back the curtain on this private struggle. By interviewing 65 adults currently in treatment for problem gambling, researchers mapped the winding road people travel from first realization to the point they finally reach out for gambling recovery support. 

This article distills the most impactful and surprising findings from that research. It reveals the triggers, the timelines, and the overlooked patterns that define the hidden journey of problem gambling, offering crucial insights for individuals, their families, and the professionals trying to help them. 

On Average, There’s A Four-Year Gap Between Awareness and Starting Gambling Recovery

One of the most significant findings from the study is the stark delay between realizing their gambling is harmful and when they first attempt to get help or limit their behavior.

The research identified a time lag of just under four years between these two critical events.

This four-year silence is not just a statistic. It represents a prolonged period of active struggle. It’s not simply passive suffering.

Researchers suggest this gap is often filled with shame, secrecy, and desperate attempts to fix the problem. People often use the very behavior causing the issues: trying to recoup losses. This tendency to chase a “big win” to solve mounting debt can exacerbate financial and emotional harms. It can postpone any cry for help until a crisis becomes unavoidable.

The study also revealed that this journey can differ across demographics, noting that men, on average, reported recognizing their gambling problems and trying to address them earlier than women. 

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The Tipping Point for Gambling Recovery Is Almost Always Financial 

The study pinpointed the specific triggers that cause a person to first recognize their gambling is a problem and, later, to finally seek help. In both instances, one trigger stood out above all others: money. 

Financial problems were the most common catalyst for both awareness and action. The data revealed: 

• 40% of participants cited financial problems as the very first sign they noticed that their gambling was becoming harmful. 
• 77% of participants said financial problems were the “tipping point” that ultimately caused them to try and limit their gambling.

This reliance on a financial crisis helps explain the “four-year silence”; the problem often isn’t perceived as real until it has a tangible, dollars-and-cents impact. For many, the abstract harms of addiction—such as emotional distress or lost time—are not enough to prompt action. This suggests that public health messaging focused solely on emotional well-being may be less effective than interventions that highlight the tangible financial risks of unchecked gambling. 

The First Call for Help Isn’t to a Doctor, It’s to a Friend 

When individuals finally decide to break their silence, they don’t typically start with a formal treatment program. The study mapped the typical order in which people seek support, revealing a clear pattern that begins with their closest connections. 

The first source of help is usually informal: friends and family. This was the most common first step for participants in the study. In stark contrast, the last resort identified was formal, in-person counseling from a religious figure like a pastor or priest. While loved ones are the first line of defense, the study suggests they may lack the specialized knowledge to be the most effective, as their helpfulness was ranked 6th out of 11 options. This highlights the immense pressure placed on these informal relationships to manage a complex clinical issue. 

What Makes a Strategy “Helpful” Is Highly Specific 

The research found that there is no single “best” way to address problem gambling. Instead, participants found different strategies to be helpful for very distinct and specific reasons. The unique benefits of each approach were clear: 

• Friends and Family: Were uniquely helpful for instrumental support, particularly for managing money (e.g., holding bank cards for the individual). 
• Professional In-Person Counselling: Stood out for its effectiveness in helping people understand and cope with their emotions. 
• Gamblers Anonymous (GA): Was specifically noted by participants for its accessibility, offering both in-person and online meetings. 
• Self-Exclusion Programs: Were effective primarily because of the perceived consequences of being caught violating the ban. 

The power of consequences in self-exclusion was vividly illustrated by one participant’s experience: 

“…knowing that I would be escorted out, or even charged with trespassing was a deterrent.” (61-year-old man) 

From an analyst’s perspective, this means a “one-size-fits-all” approach to treatment is bound to fail. Effective support requires a diagnostic approach that matches a person’s specific deficits—be it emotional regulation, financial control, or simply access to support—with the appropriate tool. 

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As professionals, our time is valuable. Dr. Weeks created the Mitigation Aide Research Archive because there isn’t enough focused, data-backed research available in easily digestible formats.

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Gambling Recovery is Hard: Addiction Can Play “Whack-a-Mole” 

The study confirmed a strong connection between problem gambling and other behavioral health issues. Over half of the participants (51%) felt their gambling was “definitely linked” to mental health or substance use problems. The research reinforces that gambling is often a maladaptive coping strategy for underlying distress. 

The most surprising finding in this area, however, revealed a critical blind spot in the treatment system. Among participants who had previously sought treatment for substance use, their gambling problems often emerged concurrently with those treatment episodes. This suggests a predictable “addiction substitution” effect. When an individual’s primary coping mechanism (e.g., substances) is removed without addressing the underlying need to cope, they may swap it for another, like gambling. It indicates that individuals receiving specialized care for one addiction may be developing a serious gambling problem at the same time, yet screening for problem gambling in these settings is rare.

Closing the Gap Between Silence and Support 

The four-year silence is not a void; it is a space filled with shame, misguided attempts to win back losses, and a problem that remains invisible until it devastates a bank account. It ends not with a doctor, but with a confession to a friend. The path to recovery for problem gambling is longer, more complex, and more hidden than many of us realize.  

Understanding this predictable, hidden path is the first step in dismantling it. And the first step towards gambling recovery.

By illuminating this reality, we can better support those who are struggling. Knowing this hidden journey and its triggers, how can friends, family, and healthcare professionals better create safety nets to ensure that the four-year silence doesn’t have to be the norm? 

Are you a professional looking to stay up-to-date with the latest information on, sex addiction, trauma, and mental health news and research? Or maybe you’re looking for continuing education courses? stay up-to-date with all of Dr. Jen’s work through her practice’s newsletter!

Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? consult with a professional.

The post 5 Surprising Truths About the Path to Gambling Recovery first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.

For many people in early recovery from pornography addiction, a behavioral intervention they entertain is getting rid of their smart phone and going back to the dumb phone. This has caused some consternation when shopping for an old school flip phone. 

Do they even make them? If they do are they in stock or does it have to be ordered. Then, some of them still have some access to the internet. 

Update: To learn more about ways to restrict access to pornography, see the series on Blocking Porn.

The Dumb Phone in the News

In the past month, there have been a few articles in the Wall Street Journal about simple phones. 

The first article targeted parents who were not sure about getting their tween a smartphone. It is now the norm for a tween to have a smartphone and those that don’t may face some social pushback from their peers. 

Several newer phone companies have stepped up to address this gap. 

The first is the Light Phone II. This phone runs on the AT&T network. It looks like a smartphone but only allows calling and texting as well as some basic apps such as music and an alarm. 

The second option is the Gabb. This phone mimics the look of an iPhone but does not have any access to the internet, games, or social media. 

A third option is Pinwheel this phone also looks like a traditional smart phone but does not allow access to the internet or social media. In contrast, this company does allow age appropriate, nonaddictive apps. 

Do you believe you have an online pornography addiction? Then take this free Cyber Pornography Addiction Test (CYPAT) and have the results to speak with your therapist.

The second article targeted adults who wanted a minimalist phone.

The MuditaPure is a cellphone that can call and text but cannot access the internet, email, or take picture. The phone does not even have a color palate and is monochrome. This device will be available in November. Another option is the Light Phone that uses black and white to avoid blue light. 

Conclusion

With these new developments, there are now many more phone options for those in recovery. If you want, you can have a phone that looks like your peers’ so you can avoid the inevitable questions that come when you pull out a flip phone. 

Have you found yourself in legal trouble due to your sexual behavior? Seek assistance before the court mandates it, with Sexual Addiction Treatment Services.

Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? consult with a professional.

The post Who Uses a Dumb Phone? first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.

This article, in conjunction with the others, in Using Superheroes and Villains in Counseling and Play Therapy by Lawrence C. Rubin, has a useful analysis of why the utilization of superheroes and villains could be beneficial in addiction treatment. Essentially, it is Narrative Therapy, which Smith & Kirby eloquently preface their modality of SUD Superhero and Supervillain Activity with (p.136).

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What is Narrative Therapy?

Narrative therapy helps the client retell their story from an objective lens, in a way which gives the client the power, reflection and conviction of their own story.

The use of Narrative therapy is very insightful, both for the therapist and the client. The therapist walks with the client recreating their story of self-proclaimed weaknesses to strength.

Narrative therapy helps the client retell their story from an objective lens, in a way which gives the client the power, reflection and conviction of their own story. They no longer giving society the power to tell them who they are before or interim of sobriety and recovery.

Are you a professional looking to stay up-to-date with the latest information on, sex addiction, trauma, and mental health news and research? Or maybe you’re looking for continuing education courses?

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Using Superheroes and Villains in Narrative Therapy

The struggles of supervillain and superheroes give us a sense that they have humanistic attributes like us. This makes them relatable especially under the guise of a metaphor in their lives. Once the client can personify their addiction and not internalize it, the power becomes displaced. Therefore, making the addiction an extension outside of self. Making a more realistic entity to contend with.

This exercise supplies a detailed orientation of how to create the superhero and villain for the client in nine sections.

The nine sections are as follows (p. 138):

• Basic Information (gender, age and race)
• Physical Appearance
• Unique Features
• Weapons
• Gadgets and Vehicles
• Partners, sidekicks/henchmen
• Powers
• Weaknesses
• Motivation and Symbol

Do you believe you have an online pornography addiction? Take the free Cyber Pornography Addiction Test (CYPAT) and have the results to speak with your therapist.

The Exercise

This exercise could be utilized with clients that work well with Narrative Therapy or have an interest in entertaining the idea of a superhero and supervillain with in themselves.

What follows the exercise is a case example of a client that utilized the mentioned activity. Which gives some context on how this exercise is used and the result of the exercise.

Alternative uses of this Narrative Therapy style could be used. For example, from other films and stories. The only issue there is if the client knows of that film or story in order to develop meaning and understanding. But a film or story that the client does not know, could easily become a suggestion for discussion for the next session.

Eli Irving specializes in working with adolescents with Problematic Sexual Behavior at SATS.

Guest Post by Elijah Irving

This post contains affiliate links. The author or blog owner may earn a commission if you make a purchase using these links.

Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? Consult with a professional.

Are you looking for more reputable, data-backed information on sexual addiction? The Mitigation Aide Research Archive is an excellent source for executive summaries of research studies.

For an in-depth guide on talking to your adolescents about cybersex and pornography, check out Dr. Jen’s book. Amazon | BookBaby

The post A Review: Superheroes and Villains in the Treatment of Substance Abuse Disorders first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.

I read Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts for several reasons: 

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The first is that we sometimes have individuals referred to us for potential sexual addiction who have intrusive sexual thoughts. Frequently these individuals are not dealing with a problematic sexual behavior, but intrusive sexual thoughts and we refer them out to a great area clinician who specializes in treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. 

Second, we do have a lot of clients who have some version of intrusive thoughts. So, I thought: the more I could learn about it, the better.

The subtitle of the book is A CBT based guide to getting over frightening, obsessive or disturbing thoughts. 

My initial assumption was that the book was going to more traditionally CBT focused, but I did not find it so. It reads more like a book that is advocating some level of mindfulness-based practice. 

This is perfect for me as we often use this in our practice. 

One helpful part of this book is how much it normalizes intrusive thoughts. Many people have thoughts that pop into their heads that are about violence, sexualized content or doing or engaging in what the author calls “disgusting” acts. 

Anytime we can work to reduce shame it is a great thing! 

Struggling with excessive sexual thoughts, urges, or activities that are causing you distress? Take the free, online Sexual Symptom Assessment Scale (SSAS) and get a link to share with your therapist.

The Six Steps to Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts

I want to focus this review on the authors six steps to reduce distress over a thought. They are very mindfulness based and are also extremely applicable to dealing with urges and cravings in any type of addiction. 

The steps are: 

Recognize

The first step is to just recognize that an intrusive thought is just a thought. To adapt this to addiction recovery, a craving is just a craving. We can recognize it for what it is. That means we pause and label it. Thought. Craving, etc.

Just Thoughts

The next step is to remind oneself that it is just a thought or craving. 

Accept and Allow

From there we Accept and Allow the thought or craving. The author says that this means we actively allow the thoughts to be there. We don’t act on it, but we also do not need to give the thoughts or cravings attention. For example, someone in recovery might say to themselves, this is just a craving.

Float and Feel

The Float and Feel step requires perhaps a bit more explanation. The author says to float above the fray and allow the feelings to just stay there. This is described as an attitude of “non-active, non-urgent, non-effortful observation.” This is also called the Wise Mind. Float and Feel is to passively allow the thought or craving to be and not engage with it. 

Let Time Pass

Perhaps one of the hardest steps is to just let time pass. This is to learn to sit with the feelings that come up and not try to immediately do something to get rid of them. Recognize that a thought or a craving is just a false message from our brain. 

Proceed

The last step is to Proceed or just keep going. Continue with whatever it was that you were doing. 

Of course, as with most difficult things we need to change, this process is much easier said than done.  These steps take time to learn and even more time to master.  A good first step is to just be able to recognize a thought or a craving and label it for what it is. I am having a craving.  I am just going to try to sit with it as long as I can without judging it.  Thoughts and cravings pass.

Are you a professional looking to stay up-to-date with the latest information on, sex addiction, trauma, and mental health news and research? Or maybe you’re looking for continuing education courses?

Stay up-to-date with all of Dr. Jen’s work through her practice’s newsletter!

Conclusion

Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts is a nice primer to help individuals start to understand their intrusive thoughts. 

It also helps them come to understand if the thoughts are simply intrusive thoughts or indicative of something else, such as OCD, that might require professional help to master.

This post contains affiliate links. The author or blog owner may earn a commission if you make a purchase using these links.

Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? Consult with a professional.

Are you looking for more reputable, data-backed information on sexual addiction? The Mitigation Aide Research Archive is an excellent source for executive summaries of research studies.

The post Book Review: Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.