Treatment of problem gambling: development, status, and future

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to seek to present an overview of past, present, and future approaches to the treatment of problem gambling. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reviews the literature concerning conceptual, historical, and clinical research perspectives on the treatment of problem gambling. Findings – Perspectives on the etiology, maintenance, conceptualization, and treatment of problem gambling have evolved over time. Once seen as a failure of moral character, problem gambling is now considered to be an addictive disorder with similarities to substance abuse disorders. Empirical research into the treatment of problem gambling is progressing, but is relatively sparse compared to the body of research in other addictive disorders. Methodological issues have been identified that will need to be addressed in future research. Currently, cognitive-behavioral approaches have received the most attention and have the greatest amount of research support. Brief interventions, pharmacological interventions, family therapy, and Gamblers Anonymous are also in use. Future directions for problem gambling treatment that are being researched and implemented are mindfulness-based interventions and internet-based treatment approaches. Originality/value – This review should be useful to those seeking general information about problem gambling treatment, its development, status, and future directions.

Randomized controlled trial of an Internet intervention for problem gambling provided with or without access to an Internet intervention for co-occurring mental health distress

“…An additional challenge with providing help is that many people with gambling problems have other co-occurring mental health concerns ( Bischof et al, 2013 ; Desai and Potenza, 2008 ; Kessler et al, 2008 ; Lorains et al, 2011 ; Martin et al, 2014 ; Petry et al, 2005 ). As with the provision of care in face-to-face settings, an issue of importance to the optimization of positive outcomes from gambling problems is whether interventions for gambling problems should be provided along with the simultaneous provision of help for mental health distress ( Dowling et al, 2016 ; Geisner et al, 2014 ; Hodgins and el-Guebaly, 2010 ; Stea and Hodgins, 2011 ; Toneatto and Ladouceur, 2003 ; Wynn et al, 2014 ). A recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) has examined the impact of providing an online depression intervention to problem gamblers and found some improvement in both gambling and depression outcomes at an 8-week follow-up ( Bucker et al, 2018 ).…”

Online interventions for problem gamblers with and without co-occurring mental health symptoms: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…It is estimated that up to half of pathological gamblers have co-occurring mental health symptoms (e.g., depression or anxiety disorder) [ 1 – 6 ]. While there is little work in this area, co-occurring mental health symptoms are thought to impact on the treatment needs of problem gamblers [ 7 – 12 ]. The interrelationship between problem gambling and co-occurring mental health symptoms may not have the same cause for all those experiencing these co-occurring conditions.…”

Using Virtual Reality in the Treatment of Gambling Disorder: The Development of a New Tool for Cognitive Behavior Therapy

“…Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) has repeatedly proven effective for this disorder. It constitutes an empirically validated form of treatment recommended by experts and is considered to be among best practices ( 2 – 5 ). Clinically, all of the founding literature on CBT [e.g., Ref.…”