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Nancy Petry, PhD, David Ledgerwood, PhD, and Cheryl Molina, MA. Univ of CT Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-3944, 860679-2593, petry@psychiatry.uchc.edu
This presentation will describe results from one of the largest clinical trials for pathological gambling conducted to date. Over 200 pathological gamblers were randomly assigned to: referral to Gamblers Anonymous (GA) alone, referral to GA plus a cognitive-behavioral skills training workbook, or referral to GA plus eight weeks of individual cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Patients assigned to the individual CBT condition were significantly more likely to decrease gambling during the treatment period, and 12-month follow-up results suggest continuing efficacy of CBT in reducing gambling long term. A second trial detailing the use of brief interventions in problem gamblers will also be described. In this study, individuals seeking services from medical clinics, substance abuse treatment centers, or senior citizen centers were screened for gambling problems. Those meeting criteria for heavy/problem gambling were invited to participate in an assessment and brief intervention study evaluating the efficacy of: no treatment, 5 minutes of brief advice, one session of motivational enhancement therapy (MET), or one session of MET plus three sessions of CBT. Of over 200 individuals thus randomized to a condition, those in the brief advice and four-session interventions are demonstrating more significant and long-lasting reductions in gambling than individuals assigned to the no treatment or MET-alone conditions. These results will be described along with a discussion of treatment and early intervention of problem gambling from a public health perspective.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.