Effectiveness of a Self Help Cognitive Behavioural Treatment Program for Problem Gamblers: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

The study aimed to strengthen the scarce literature on self-help treatments for Problem Gambling (PG) by comparing the effectiveness of a Self-Help Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (SHCBT) program (n = 23) with a 6-week Waitlist condition (n = 32) in problem gamblers. Participants were community volunteers with gambling problems and were randomly allocated to the Waitlist and treatment conditions. Results showed significant improvements at post-treatment in gambling behaviors including frequency of gambling, average amount gambled per day and PG symptoms as well as a number of gambling correlates including psychological states (e.g., depression, anxiety and stress), gambling cognitions, gambling urges, gambling related self-efficacy, satisfaction with life, and quality of life among those who completed the SHCBT program, when compared with the waitlist condition. The effect size (partial η ) ranged from .25 to .57 for all assessed outcomes that showed significant improvement from pre- to post-treatment. It was concluded that a self-help CBT program can be beneficial for treating community problem gamblers.

Effective Treatment and Support for Problem Gambling

“…23 Remote and self-help treatment options are effective, resource-efficient, anonymous, convenient, and help to reduce barriers and enhance access to treatment for those who may be unlikely or unable to use faceto-face treatment options. 18,[46][47][48]55 These interventions may be particularly effective treatment options for women, who may otherwise face barriers to treatment. 47,50,53,55 Internet and workbook-based CBT may be a particularly strong option for treating gambling problems.…”

“…47,50,53,55 Internet and workbook-based CBT may be a particularly strong option for treating gambling problems. [17][18][19] Across remote treatment modalities, research suggests that some engagement with a clinician (in-person or via web, mobile, or telephone) may improve outcomes. 46,50,56 High levels of treatment dropout also have a large impact on the outcomes of problem gambling treatment and related research.…”

“…19 › SHCBT and I-CBT may be effective treatment options for problem gamblers who do not wish to, or are unable to, seek professional face-to-face treatment. 18 › A 2017 review found that some degree of therapist support can improve outcomes of selfdirected CBT (via a workbook or internet format). 13…”

“…155 Self-Help CBT (SHCBT): SHCBTs are psychological therapies that an individual can do on their own time to help with problems like stress, anxiety, depression, and problematic behaviours. 18 Sensation seeking: Sensation seeking is a personality trait that involves the motivation to seek out novel experiences varying in levels of intensity and stimulation. This trait may also include the willingness to take physical, social, legal, and financial risks for the sake of such experiences.…”

A Comparison of DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for Gambling Disorder in a Large Clinical Sample

“…The main treatment used in patients diagnosed with GD relies on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) based on live exposure techniques. Response prevention and the control of stimuli are intended to provoke the desire to gamble and allow the patient to learn to resist and control those desires progressively (Oei et al, 2010, 2017; Rash and Petry, 2014; Jiménez-Murcia et al, 2015). Patients who engage in criminal behavior may require a more extensive type of intervention.…”