Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Current Addiction Reports 3/2016

01-09-2016 | Gambling (J Derevensky, Section Editor)

Latest Developments in Treatment for Disordered Gambling: Review and Critical Evaluation of Outcome Studies

Authors: Igor Yakovenko, David C. Hodgins

Published in: Current Addiction Reports | Issue 3/2016

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose of review

Over the last decade, treatments for disordered gambling have developed rapidly. The goal of this paper is to review and to critically evaluate the literature published on the treatment of disordered gambling in the past 3 years. Important findings are emphasized and accompanied by the authors’ personal observations on controversial results or hypotheses of interest.

Recent findings

Cognitive-behavioral interventions have been evaluated in treatment of Hong Kong Chinese individuals as well as in combination with mindfulness-based approaches. Personalized-feedback interventions have received increased attention, with brief treatments demonstrating overall efficacy. Pharmacological treatments continue to receive only limited support. On the other hand, web-based treatments appear to show promise.

Summary

Cognitive-behavioral and brief treatments remain the most empirically supported approaches, but new inventive combinations of treatments such as web-based therapies are emerging. Future research could benefit from diversification of types of treatments evaluated as well as an examination of what is considered “evidence-based.”
Literature
1.
go back to reference American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM 5. Washington, D.C: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM 5. Washington, D.C: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
2.
go back to reference Hodgins DC, Currie SR, el-Guebaly N. Motivational enhancement and self-help treatments for problem gambling. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2001;69(1):50–7.CrossRefPubMed Hodgins DC, Currie SR, el-Guebaly N. Motivational enhancement and self-help treatments for problem gambling. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2001;69(1):50–7.CrossRefPubMed
3.
go back to reference Yakovenko I, Quigley L, Hemmelgarn BR, Hodgins DC, Ronksley P. The efficacy of motivational interviewing for disordered gambling: systematic review and meta-analysis. Addict Behav. 2015;43:72–82.CrossRefPubMed Yakovenko I, Quigley L, Hemmelgarn BR, Hodgins DC, Ronksley P. The efficacy of motivational interviewing for disordered gambling: systematic review and meta-analysis. Addict Behav. 2015;43:72–82.CrossRefPubMed
4.
go back to reference Pallesen S, Molde H, Arnestad HM, Laberg JC, Skutle A, Iversen E, et al. Outcome of pharmacological treatments of pathological gambling: a review and meta-analysis. J Clin Psychopharm. 2007;27(4):357–64.CrossRef Pallesen S, Molde H, Arnestad HM, Laberg JC, Skutle A, Iversen E, et al. Outcome of pharmacological treatments of pathological gambling: a review and meta-analysis. J Clin Psychopharm. 2007;27(4):357–64.CrossRef
5.
go back to reference Gooding P, Tarrier N. A systematic review and meta-analysis of cognitive-behavioural interventions to reduce problem gambling: hedging our bets? Behav Res Ther. 2009;47(7):592–607.CrossRefPubMed Gooding P, Tarrier N. A systematic review and meta-analysis of cognitive-behavioural interventions to reduce problem gambling: hedging our bets? Behav Res Ther. 2009;47(7):592–607.CrossRefPubMed
6.
go back to reference Chambless DL, Baker MJ, Baucom DH, Beutler LE, Calhoun KS, Crits-Christoph P, et al. Update on empirically validated therapies II. Clin Psychol. 1998;51(1):3–16. Chambless DL, Baker MJ, Baucom DH, Beutler LE, Calhoun KS, Crits-Christoph P, et al. Update on empirically validated therapies II. Clin Psychol. 1998;51(1):3–16.
7.
go back to reference Yakovenko I, Hodgins DC. Treatment of disordered gambling. In: Gobet F, Schiller M, editors. Problem gambling: cognition, prevention and treatment. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan; 2014. p. 221–51.CrossRef Yakovenko I, Hodgins DC. Treatment of disordered gambling. In: Gobet F, Schiller M, editors. Problem gambling: cognition, prevention and treatment. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan; 2014. p. 221–51.CrossRef
8.
go back to reference Petry NM. Psychosocial treatments for problem and pathological gambling. In: Bowden-Jones H, George S, editors. A clinician’s guide to working with problem gamblers. New York, NY: Routledge; 2015. p. 123–33. Petry NM. Psychosocial treatments for problem and pathological gambling. In: Bowden-Jones H, George S, editors. A clinician’s guide to working with problem gamblers. New York, NY: Routledge; 2015. p. 123–33.
9.•
go back to reference Hodgins DC, Stea JN, Grant JE. Gambling disorders. Lancet. 2011;378:1874–84. The authors provide a detailed summary of key features of gambling disorders. In a concise review, prevalence, etiology, screening, diagnosis, and treatment are discussed with suggestions for future directions in research. The article is recommended as a succinct overview of disordered gambling for readers new to this area of research.CrossRefPubMed Hodgins DC, Stea JN, Grant JE. Gambling disorders. Lancet. 2011;378:1874–84. The authors provide a detailed summary of key features of gambling disorders. In a concise review, prevalence, etiology, screening, diagnosis, and treatment are discussed with suggestions for future directions in research. The article is recommended as a succinct overview of disordered gambling for readers new to this area of research.CrossRefPubMed
10.•
go back to reference Cowlishaw S, Merkouris S, Dowling N, Anderson C, Jackson A, Thomas S. Psychological therapies for pathological and problem gambling. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;11:CD008937. A comprehensive review of all randomized-controlled trials conducted on psychological therapies for disordered gambling as of 2012. The article uses stringent quality criteria and represents one of the most rigorous recent reviews of the literature.PubMed Cowlishaw S, Merkouris S, Dowling N, Anderson C, Jackson A, Thomas S. Psychological therapies for pathological and problem gambling. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;11:CD008937. A comprehensive review of all randomized-controlled trials conducted on psychological therapies for disordered gambling as of 2012. The article uses stringent quality criteria and represents one of the most rigorous recent reviews of the literature.PubMed
11.
go back to reference Toneatto T, Pillai S, Courtice EL. Mindfulness-enhanced cognitive behavior therapy for problem gambling: a controlled pilot study. Int J Ment Health Addict. 2014;12:197–205.CrossRef Toneatto T, Pillai S, Courtice EL. Mindfulness-enhanced cognitive behavior therapy for problem gambling: a controlled pilot study. Int J Ment Health Addict. 2014;12:197–205.CrossRef
12.
go back to reference Shonin E, Gordon WV, Griffiths MD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and meditation awareness training (MAT) for the treatment of co-occurring schizophrenia and pathological gambling: a case study. Int J Ment Health Addict. 2014;12:181–96.CrossRef Shonin E, Gordon WV, Griffiths MD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and meditation awareness training (MAT) for the treatment of co-occurring schizophrenia and pathological gambling: a case study. Int J Ment Health Addict. 2014;12:181–96.CrossRef
13.
go back to reference Wong DFK, Chung CLP, Wu J, Tang J, Lau P. A preliminary study of an integrated and culturally attuned cognitive behavioral group treatment for Chinese problem gamblers in Hong Kong. J Gambl Stud. 2015;31:1015–27.CrossRefPubMed Wong DFK, Chung CLP, Wu J, Tang J, Lau P. A preliminary study of an integrated and culturally attuned cognitive behavioral group treatment for Chinese problem gamblers in Hong Kong. J Gambl Stud. 2015;31:1015–27.CrossRefPubMed
15.
go back to reference Swan JL, Hodgins DC. Brief interventions for disordered gambling. Can J Addict. 2015;6(2):29–36. Swan JL, Hodgins DC. Brief interventions for disordered gambling. Can J Addict. 2015;6(2):29–36.
16.
go back to reference Hodgins DC, Currie SR, Currie G, Fick GH. Randomized trial of a brief motivational treatments for pathological gamblers: more is not necessarily better. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2009;77(5):950–60.CrossRefPubMed Hodgins DC, Currie SR, Currie G, Fick GH. Randomized trial of a brief motivational treatments for pathological gamblers: more is not necessarily better. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2009;77(5):950–60.CrossRefPubMed
17.
go back to reference Neighbors C, Rodriguez LM, Rinker DV, Gonzales RG, Agana M, Tackett JL, et al. Efficacy of personalized normative feedback as a brief intervention for college student gambling: a randomized controlled trial. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2015;83(3):500–11.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Neighbors C, Rodriguez LM, Rinker DV, Gonzales RG, Agana M, Tackett JL, et al. Efficacy of personalized normative feedback as a brief intervention for college student gambling: a randomized controlled trial. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2015;83(3):500–11.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
18.•
go back to reference Toneatto T. Single-session interventions for problem gambling may be as effective as longer treatments: results of a randomized control trial. Addict Behav. 2016;52:58–65. The study compares the efficacy of cognitive, behavioral, motivational, and single-session interventions up to 12 months follow-up. The design represents one of the few and the most recent direct comparison of psychotherapies for disordered gambling with the most evidence base.CrossRefPubMed Toneatto T. Single-session interventions for problem gambling may be as effective as longer treatments: results of a randomized control trial. Addict Behav. 2016;52:58–65. The study compares the efficacy of cognitive, behavioral, motivational, and single-session interventions up to 12 months follow-up. The design represents one of the few and the most recent direct comparison of psychotherapies for disordered gambling with the most evidence base.CrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Celio MA, Lisman SA. Examining the efficacy of a personalized normative feedback intervention to reduce college student gambling. J Am Coll Health. 2014;62(3):154–65.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Celio MA, Lisman SA. Examining the efficacy of a personalized normative feedback intervention to reduce college student gambling. J Am Coll Health. 2014;62(3):154–65.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
21.
go back to reference Stea JN, Hodgins DC, Fung T. Abstinence versus moderation goals in brief motivational treatment for pathological gambling. J Gambl Stud. 2015;31:1029–45.CrossRefPubMed Stea JN, Hodgins DC, Fung T. Abstinence versus moderation goals in brief motivational treatment for pathological gambling. J Gambl Stud. 2015;31:1029–45.CrossRefPubMed
22.•
go back to reference Yip SW, Potenza MN. Treatment of gambling disorders. Curr Treat Option Psychiat. 2014;1:189–203. In addition to a thorough review of pharmacological treatments for disordered gambling, the article provides a summary of the standard dosage, contraindications, main drug interactions, main side effects, cost, and special points with regard to the use of all of the major categories of drugs that have been evaluated for treatment of gambling disorders.CrossRef Yip SW, Potenza MN. Treatment of gambling disorders. Curr Treat Option Psychiat. 2014;1:189–203. In addition to a thorough review of pharmacological treatments for disordered gambling, the article provides a summary of the standard dosage, contraindications, main drug interactions, main side effects, cost, and special points with regard to the use of all of the major categories of drugs that have been evaluated for treatment of gambling disorders.CrossRef
23.
go back to reference Bartley CA, Bloch MH. Meta-analysis: pharmacological treatment of pathological gambling. Expert Rev Neurother. 2013;13(8):887–94.CrossRefPubMed Bartley CA, Bloch MH. Meta-analysis: pharmacological treatment of pathological gambling. Expert Rev Neurother. 2013;13(8):887–94.CrossRefPubMed
24.
go back to reference Grant J, Kim S, Hollander E, Potenza M. Predicting response to opiate antagonists and placebo in the treatment of pathological gambling. Psychopharmacology. 2008;200(4):521–7.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Grant J, Kim S, Hollander E, Potenza M. Predicting response to opiate antagonists and placebo in the treatment of pathological gambling. Psychopharmacology. 2008;200(4):521–7.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
25.
go back to reference Kovanen L, Basnet S, Castrén S, Pankakoski M, Saarikoski ST, Partonen T, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of as-needed naltrexone in the treatment of pathological gambling. Eur Addict Res. 2016;22:70–9.CrossRefPubMed Kovanen L, Basnet S, Castrén S, Pankakoski M, Saarikoski ST, Partonen T, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of as-needed naltrexone in the treatment of pathological gambling. Eur Addict Res. 2016;22:70–9.CrossRefPubMed
26.
go back to reference Berlin HA, Braun A, Simeon D, Koran LM, Potenza MN, McElroy SL, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of topiramate for pathological gambling. World J Biol Psychia. 2013;14:121–8.CrossRef Berlin HA, Braun A, Simeon D, Koran LM, Potenza MN, McElroy SL, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of topiramate for pathological gambling. World J Biol Psychia. 2013;14:121–8.CrossRef
27.
go back to reference Grant JE, Odlaug BL, Chamberlain SR, Potenza MN, Schreiber LR, Donahue CB, et al. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of N-acetylcysteine plus imaginal desensitization for nicotine-dependent pathological gamblers. J Clin Psychiat. 2014;75(1):39–45.CrossRef Grant JE, Odlaug BL, Chamberlain SR, Potenza MN, Schreiber LR, Donahue CB, et al. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of N-acetylcysteine plus imaginal desensitization for nicotine-dependent pathological gamblers. J Clin Psychiat. 2014;75(1):39–45.CrossRef
28.
go back to reference Hollander E, Pallanti S, Allen A, Sood E, Rossi NB. Does sustained-release lithium reduce impulsive gambling and affective instability versus placebo in pathological gamblers with bipolar spectrum disorders? Am J Psychiatry. 2005;162:137–45.CrossRefPubMed Hollander E, Pallanti S, Allen A, Sood E, Rossi NB. Does sustained-release lithium reduce impulsive gambling and affective instability versus placebo in pathological gamblers with bipolar spectrum disorders? Am J Psychiatry. 2005;162:137–45.CrossRefPubMed
29.
go back to reference Grant JE, Potenza MN. Escitalopram treatment of pathological gambling with co-occurring anxiety: an open-label pilot study with double-blind discontinuation. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2006;21:203–9.CrossRefPubMed Grant JE, Potenza MN. Escitalopram treatment of pathological gambling with co-occurring anxiety: an open-label pilot study with double-blind discontinuation. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2006;21:203–9.CrossRefPubMed
30.
31.
go back to reference Slutske WS, Blaszczynski A, Martin NG. Sex differences in the rates of recovery, treatment-seeking, and natural recovery in pathological gambling: results from an Australian community-based twin survey. Twin Res Hum Genet. 2009;12:425–32.CrossRefPubMed Slutske WS, Blaszczynski A, Martin NG. Sex differences in the rates of recovery, treatment-seeking, and natural recovery in pathological gambling: results from an Australian community-based twin survey. Twin Res Hum Genet. 2009;12:425–32.CrossRefPubMed
32.
go back to reference Portnoy DB, Scott-Sheldon LA, Johnson BT, Carey MB. Computer-delivered interventions for health promotion and behavioral risk reduction: a meta-analysis of 75 randomized controlled trials, 1988–2007. Prev Med. 2008;47:3–16.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Portnoy DB, Scott-Sheldon LA, Johnson BT, Carey MB. Computer-delivered interventions for health promotion and behavioral risk reduction: a meta-analysis of 75 randomized controlled trials, 1988–2007. Prev Med. 2008;47:3–16.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
33.
go back to reference Carlbring P, Smit F. Randomized trial of Internet-delivered self-help with telephone support for pathological gamblers. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2008;76:1090–4.CrossRefPubMed Carlbring P, Smit F. Randomized trial of Internet-delivered self-help with telephone support for pathological gamblers. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2008;76:1090–4.CrossRefPubMed
34.
go back to reference Cunningham JA, Hodgins DC, Toneatto T, Rai A, Cordingley J. Pilot study of a personalized feedback intervention for problem gamblers. Behav Ther. 2009;40:219–24.CrossRefPubMed Cunningham JA, Hodgins DC, Toneatto T, Rai A, Cordingley J. Pilot study of a personalized feedback intervention for problem gamblers. Behav Ther. 2009;40:219–24.CrossRefPubMed
35.
go back to reference Cunningham JA, Hodgins DC, Toneatto T, Murphy M. A randomized controlled trial of a personalized feedback intervention for problem gamblers. PLoS One. 2012;7:e31586.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Cunningham JA, Hodgins DC, Toneatto T, Murphy M. A randomized controlled trial of a personalized feedback intervention for problem gamblers. PLoS One. 2012;7:e31586.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
36.
go back to reference Carlbring P, Degerman N, Jonsson J, Andersson G. Internet-based treatment of pathological gambling with a three-year follow-up. Cogn Behav Ther. 2012;41(4):321–34.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Carlbring P, Degerman N, Jonsson J, Andersson G. Internet-based treatment of pathological gambling with a three-year follow-up. Cogn Behav Ther. 2012;41(4):321–34.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
37.
go back to reference Canale N, Vieno A, Griffiths MD, Marino C, Chieco F, Disperati F, et al. The efficacy of a web-based gambling intervention program for high school students: a preliminary randomized study. Comput Hum Behav. 2016;55:946–54.CrossRef Canale N, Vieno A, Griffiths MD, Marino C, Chieco F, Disperati F, et al. The efficacy of a web-based gambling intervention program for high school students: a preliminary randomized study. Comput Hum Behav. 2016;55:946–54.CrossRef
38.
go back to reference Luquiens A, Lagadec M, Tanguy M, Reynaud M. Efficacy of online psychotherapies in poker gambling disorder: an online randomized clinical trial. Eur Psychiatry. 2015;30(Supplement 1):28–31. Luquiens A, Lagadec M, Tanguy M, Reynaud M. Efficacy of online psychotherapies in poker gambling disorder: an online randomized clinical trial. Eur Psychiatry. 2015;30(Supplement 1):28–31.
39.
go back to reference Hodgins DC, Fick GH, Murray R, Cunningham JA. Internet-based interventions for disordered gamblers: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of online self-directed cognitive-behavioural motivational therapy. BMC Public Health. 2013;13:10.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Hodgins DC, Fick GH, Murray R, Cunningham JA. Internet-based interventions for disordered gamblers: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of online self-directed cognitive-behavioural motivational therapy. BMC Public Health. 2013;13:10.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
40.
go back to reference Magnusson K, Nilsson A, Hellner Gumpert C, Andersson G, Carlbring P. Internet-delivered cognitive-behavioural therapy for concerned significant others of people with problem gambling: study protocol for a randomised wait-list controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2015;5, e008724. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008724.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Magnusson K, Nilsson A, Hellner Gumpert C, Andersson G, Carlbring P. Internet-delivered cognitive-behavioural therapy for concerned significant others of people with problem gambling: study protocol for a randomised wait-list controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2015;5, e008724. doi:10.​1136/​bmjopen-2015-008724.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
41.
go back to reference Hodgins DC, Toneatto T, Makarchuk K, Skinner W, Vincent S. Minimal treatment approaches for concerned significant others of problem gamblers: a randomized controlled trial. J Gambl Stud. 2007;23(2):215–30. doi:10.1007/s10899-006-9052-2.CrossRefPubMed Hodgins DC, Toneatto T, Makarchuk K, Skinner W, Vincent S. Minimal treatment approaches for concerned significant others of problem gamblers: a randomized controlled trial. J Gambl Stud. 2007;23(2):215–30. doi:10.​1007/​s10899-006-9052-2.CrossRefPubMed
42.
go back to reference Lee BK, Rovers M. ‘Bringing torn lives together again’: effects of the first congruence couple therapy training application to clients in pathological gambling. Int Gambl Stud. 2008;8(1):113–29. doi:10.1080/14459790701878137.CrossRef Lee BK, Rovers M. ‘Bringing torn lives together again’: effects of the first congruence couple therapy training application to clients in pathological gambling. Int Gambl Stud. 2008;8(1):113–29. doi:10.​1080/​1445979070187813​7.CrossRef
43.
go back to reference Gainsbury SM. Review of self-exclusion from gambling venues as an intervention for problem gambling. J Gambl Stud. 2014;30(2):229–51.CrossRefPubMed Gainsbury SM. Review of self-exclusion from gambling venues as an intervention for problem gambling. J Gambl Stud. 2014;30(2):229–51.CrossRefPubMed
45.•
go back to reference Fink A, Parhami I, Rosenthal RJ, Campos MD, Siani A, Fong TW. How transparent is behavioral intervention research on pathological gambling and other gambling-related disorders? A systematic literature review. Addiction. 2012;107:1915–28. The article illustrates weaknesses in transparency of reporting of disordered gambling intervention research. Recommendations for improvement are provided along with sources of existing reporting guidelines for both randomized and non-randomized designs.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Fink A, Parhami I, Rosenthal RJ, Campos MD, Siani A, Fong TW. How transparent is behavioral intervention research on pathological gambling and other gambling-related disorders? A systematic literature review. Addiction. 2012;107:1915–28. The article illustrates weaknesses in transparency of reporting of disordered gambling intervention research. Recommendations for improvement are provided along with sources of existing reporting guidelines for both randomized and non-randomized designs.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
46.
go back to reference Des Jarlais DC, Lyles C, Crepaz N. Improving the reporting quality of nonrandomized evaluations of behavioral and public health interventions: the TREND statement. Am J Public Health. 2004;94:361–6.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Des Jarlais DC, Lyles C, Crepaz N. Improving the reporting quality of nonrandomized evaluations of behavioral and public health interventions: the TREND statement. Am J Public Health. 2004;94:361–6.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
48.•
go back to reference Tolin DF, McKay D, Forman EM, Klonsky ED, Thombs BD. Empirically supported treatment: recommendations for a new model. Clin Psychol-Sci Pract. 2015;22(4):317–38. The article is a detailed overview of the criticisms laid toward the APA criteria for empirically-supported treatments. The authors provide recommendations for new ways of conceptualizing “empirically-supported” based on the research over the last two decades.CrossRef Tolin DF, McKay D, Forman EM, Klonsky ED, Thombs BD. Empirically supported treatment: recommendations for a new model. Clin Psychol-Sci Pract. 2015;22(4):317–38. The article is a detailed overview of the criticisms laid toward the APA criteria for empirically-supported treatments. The authors provide recommendations for new ways of conceptualizing “empirically-supported” based on the research over the last two decades.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Latest Developments in Treatment for Disordered Gambling: Review and Critical Evaluation of Outcome Studies
Authors
Igor Yakovenko
David C. Hodgins
Publication date
01-09-2016
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Current Addiction Reports / Issue 3/2016
Electronic ISSN: 2196-2952
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-016-0110-2

Other articles of this Issue 3/2016

Current Addiction Reports 3/2016 Go to the issue

Gambling (J Derevensky, Section Editor)

Populations at Risk for a Gambling Disorder: Older Adults

Gambling (J Derevensky, Section Editor)

Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling