GAMBLER ‘S AWARENESS SPACE
Relapse pattern theory is a way of explaining why people relapse.
Relapse is random, it is either planned or opportunistic.
According to the theory, it happens when the activity space of gambling intersects with the activity space of the gambler.
A gambler’s activity space consists of locations in everyday life, for example home, work, school, shopping areas, entertainment areas etc. These personal locations are also called nodes.
The course or route a gambler takes to and from these nodes are called personal paths.
Personal paths connect with various nodes creating a perimeter. This perimeter is a person’s awareness space.
Gambling pattern theory claims that a gamble involving a gambler and a casino can only occur when the activity spaces of both cross paths.
Simply put gambling will occur if an area provides the opportunity for gambling and it exists within a gambler’s awareness space
So, a space that offer gambling activities; casino, lottery shop, slot machine clubhouse or pub, sport betting house, turf club, a smartphone that provide internet access to gambling site and gambling advertisements and news, an off day or after working hours or free time that provide the free time to gamble, access to cash; saving and payday that provide the money to gamble has a higher rate of gambling,
Therefore, an addict pattern theory provides analysts with an organized way to explore patterns of behavior.
Space awareness refers to being aware of my surroundings and my position relative to them.
It’s important to know:
Where is the danger?
How far is the danger?
Am I in danger?
How to keep my safety perimeter secure?
How to flee from danger?
When to walk away from danger?
What is my role and responsibility to keep myself safe?