Gamblers seeking treatment: Who does and who doesn't?

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Abstract

As only a minority of pathological gamblers (PGr) presents for treatment, further knowledge about help-seeking behavior is required in order to enhance treatment utilization. The present study investigated factors associated with treatment participation in gamblers in Germany. As subclinical pathological gamblers (SPGr, fulfilling one to four DSM-IV-criteria) are target of early intervention due to high risk of transition to pathological gambling, they were subject of special interest.

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Most cited references 77

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Comorbidity of DSM-IV pathological gambling and other psychiatric disorders: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions.

Ian Grant, Heywood M. Petry, Frederick S Stinson (2005)

To present nationally representative data on lifetime prevalence and comorbidity of pathological gambling with other psychiatric disorders and to evaluate sex differences in the strength of the comorbid associations. Data were derived from a large national sample of the United States. Some 43,093 household and group quarters residents age 18 years and older participated in the 2001-2002 survey. Prevalence and associations of lifetime pathological gambling and other lifetime psychiatric disorders are presented. The diagnostic interview was the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-DSM-IV Version. Fifteen symptom items operationalized the 10 pathological gambling criteria. The lifetime prevalence rate of pathological gambling was 0.42%. Almost three quarters (73.2%) of pathological gamblers had an alcohol use disorder, 38.1% had a drug use disorder, 60.4% had nicotine dependence, 49.6% had a mood disorder, 41.3% had an anxiety disorder, and 60.8% had a personality disorder. A large majority of the associations between pathological gambling and substance use, mood, anxiety, and personality disorders were overwhelmingly positive and significant (p .05). Pathological gambling is highly comorbid with substance use, mood, anxiety, and personality disorders, suggesting that treatment for one condition should involve assessment and possible concomitant treatment for comorbid conditions.

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The prevalence and demographics of pathological gamblers: implications for public health.

Rachel Volberg (1994)

A study of pathological gambling in five states provides information needed to address the public health threat that the expanding availability of legalized gambling poses to at-risk groups in the general population. Over the course of this project, epidemiological data were collected to determine the prevalence of probable pathological gambling in the general population in each study state and demographic data were collected from pathological gamblers entering treatment programs in each state. Among the states surveyed, the availability of and involvement in gambling differ significantly, as does the prevalence of pathological gambling. Despite these differences, the demographics of pathological gamblers in these states are similar. Like those in the general population, pathological gamblers entering treatment in each state are similar. However, pathological gamblers entering treatment do not represent the full spectrum of individuals in the general population who experience gambling-related problems. These findings raise a number of issues, including the potential impacts of continued gambling legalization on the overall rate of gambling problems in the general population and on specific at-risk groups, including women, minorities, and children. They thus have implications for policy and program decisions now being made throughout the United States.

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Barriers to seeking help for gambling problems: a review of the empirical literature.

Helen Suurvali, Joanne Cordingley, David Hodgins … (2009)

This literature review summarizes recent empirical research on obstacles preventing problem gamblers from seeking treatment for their gambling problems. Relevant databases and bibliographies were searched for English-language papers and reports published since 1998. The only methodological requirement was that gamblers themselves be asked about reasons for not seeking help. Nineteen studies conducted in five countries were identified. All except one targeted adults. Despite differences in methodology, many of the same barriers to treatment were identified. Most commonly reported barriers were: wish to handle problem by oneself; shame/embarrassment/stigma; unwillingness to admit problem; and issues with treatment itself. The authors of the review argue that unwillingness to admit to the problem may be even more prevalent than is typically indicated by the results of barriers studies. Other frequently reported barriers included lack of knowledge about treatment options and practical issues around attending treatment. More research is needed on barriers to treatment-seeking experienced by subgroups of gamblers defined by culture, ethnicity, gender, age. Open-ended questioning methods can help provide insights into what barrier categories mean to different groups and individuals. Input directly from gamblers can be combined with information from other kinds of studies to devise better ways of reaching problem gamblers, especially those in underserviced populations.

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Author and article information

Journal

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): J Behav Addict

Title: Journal of behavioral addictions

Publisher: Akademiai Kiado Zrt.

ISSN: 2062-5871

ISSN (Print): 2062-5871

Publication date (Electronic): Sep 2014

Volume: 3

Issue: 3

Affiliations

[1 ] IFT Institut fűr Therapieforschung, Munich, Germany.

[2 ] Institut fűr Psychologie, Universität Hildesheim, Germany.

[3 ] IFT Institut fűr Therapieforschung, Munich, Germany ; Addiction Research Unit, Institut fűr Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.

[4 ] IFT Institut fűr Therapieforschung, Munich, Germany ; Centre for Social Research on Alcohol and Drugs (SoRAD), Stockholm University, Sweden.

Article

Publisher Item ID: jba.3.2014.3.7

DOI: 10.1556/JBA.3.2014.3.7

PMC ID: 4189314

PubMed ID: 25317343

SO-VID: 16c62988-4698-4d3b-9f01-6b0c70b618b4

History

Keywords: addiction care,pathological gamblers,predictors,subclinical pathological gamblers,treatment-seeking

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Keywords: addiction care, pathological gamblers, predictors, subclinical pathological gamblers, treatment-seeking

Gamblers seeking treatment: Who does and who doesn't?

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Abstract

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Journal of Behavioral Addictions

Most cited references 77

Comorbidity of DSM-IV pathological gambling and other psychiatric disorders: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions.

The prevalence and demographics of pathological gamblers: implications for public health.

Barriers to seeking help for gambling problems: a review of the empirical literature.

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