Effects of Positive Psychology Counselling Combined with Auricular Acupressure on Resilience and Gambling Withdrawal Symptoms

Stress and withdrawal symptoms such as cravings are associated with addiction relapse. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of positive psychology counselling and auricular acupressure on resilience and withdrawal symptoms among individuals with gambling use disorder. This is a randomised controlled trial conducted at a university in South Korea between July 2023 and October 2024. Thirty-six participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group, which received six weekly sessions of positive psychology counselling and auricular acupressure, or a control group that received self-help educational materials and routine counselling. The positive psychology counselling and auricular acupressure were administered once a week for 6 weeks. In the experimental group, resilience in week 5 was significantly higher (<i>t</i> = 4.83, <i>p</i> = 0.035), and gambling withdrawal symptoms were significantly lower compared to the control group (<i>t</i> = 2.06, <i>p</i> = 0.047). Among gambling withdrawal symptoms, craving (<i>p</i> = 0.015), and insomnia (<i>p</i> = 0.006) indicated significant differences. Insomnia was significantly reduced in the experimental group compared to the control group over the course of 5 weeks (<i>F</i> = 2.70, <i>p</i> = 0.034). In conclusion, positive psychology counselling combined with auricular acupressure increased resilience and decreased gambling withdrawal symptoms. Further research is recommended to examine long-term outcomes and potential mechanisms of action.