Gambling disorder comorbidity a narrative review

The intricate interplay between Gambling Disorder and co-occurring disorders such as substance use disorders (SUDs), mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, and PTSD complicates the treatment pathway, necessitating strategies that are nuanced and multifaceted. Treatment outcomes for psychosocial interventions across co-occurring harms (i.e. outcomes for both substance use and gambling) are not well-recorded in the literature. A study of the pilot RESTART program, which utilises a form of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), offered some cautiously optimistic results to two months. However, the program specifically excluded those experiencing substance use harms, with the exception of tobacco and alcohol. Furthermore, results were not broken down by harms experienced, making it difficult to assess outcomes for the population of interest to this study.

• MI techniques are particularly valuable in addressing ambivalence towards treatment and fostering a commitment to recovery.
• The key takeaway from our research is that this isn’t an individual problem, this is a community and public health issue.
• The paucity of information regarding the temporality of these conditions is an issue that has been addressed in the existing literature, as “the mechanisms underlying co-morbidity in disordered gambling and common etiological pathways” are not currently understood 19.
• Brief screening tools are important in general population health surveys when several topics are being explored, due to the time constraint of how long participants are willing to spend on completing a survey.

The comorbidity between gambling disorders and other mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and personality disorders, presents unique challenges for both individuals and clinicians. Dual diagnosis treatment that integrates therapies like CBT, DBT, and harm reduction approaches offers the best chance for managing these intertwined conditions. Understanding the complex relationships between gambling addiction and co-occurring disorders is essential for developing targeted, compassionate interventions that promote long-term recovery and well-being. There were no tools identified in the literature https://gullybetofficial.com/ that screened specifically for substance use in a gambling treatment setting. These tools screened for both substance use and gambling in either a treatment setting (Christo et al., 2003; and Denis et al., 2016) or in the general population (MacLaren & Best, 2010; and Schluter et al., 2018).

Psychological Factors

Of these participants, only 22.2% reported ever having been asked about gambling while receiving ATOD treatment services and just 12.5% reported ever having had gambling treatment services offered to them. The K6 diagnostic tool, in the non-adjusted analyses, indicated that problem gamblers were considerably more likely to screen positive for recent (past-month) moderate or severe psychological distress scores indicative of moderate mental distress in comparison to non-problem gamblers. Even when controlling for other variables in the logistic regression, the association with moderate psychological distress (although not with severe psychological distress), persisted. This finding confirms results from previous studies that showed psychological distress to highly increase the risk of screening positive for problem gambling 45, 54, 44, and studies demonstrating high rates of psychiatric comorbidity in problem gambling 2, 9–11. The use of gambling to make symptoms of psychological problems milder by serving as a function of escape is referred to as ‘self-medication’ and is a factor that could explain gambling problems succeeding mental health related comorbidities 60, 61.

Co-Occurring SUD Protective Factors

Environmental influences also play a crucial role in the development of co-occurring disorders. Factors such as exposure to trauma, stressful life events, and peer pressure can contribute to the onset of co-occurring disorders in individuals with gambling disorder. Additionally, living in an environment where gambling is prevalent or easily accessible can increase the risk of developing co-occurring disorders. Overall, understanding and addressing co-occurring disorders is essential in effectively treating gambling disorder and improving the individual’s overall quality of life. By identifying and treating co-occurring disorders in conjunction with gambling disorder, individuals can experience greater success in their recovery journey. The presence of co-occurring disorders can have a profound impact on an individual’s gambling behavior.

Sunderland Graduate’s Mental Health Journey Inspires Therapy Career

Additionally, other conditions identified were schizophrenia and related disorders, bipolar disorder, and cluster B personality disorders. The journey through the intricate landscape of Gambling Disorder and Dual Diagnosis unveils a complex interplay of psychological, behavioral, and neurobiological factors that challenge both individuals and healthcare systems. The prevalence of Gambling Disorder, often shrouded in stigma and societal misunderstanding, underscores a pressing public health issue, further complicated by the co-occurrence of psychiatric comorbidities such as substance use disorders (SUDs), mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, and PTSD. These comorbid conditions not only heighten the challenges faced by individuals but also necessitate a nuanced, integrated approach to treatment and recovery. In some cases, however, identifying behavioral patterns or traits can help to target interventions to individuals. If an individual is high on traits this may signal increased likelihood of them experiencing not only substance use and gambling but also other related co-morbidities.

Reducing your access to online gambling can create momentum that helps break automatic behaviors to help you give up gambling. Putting distance between yourself and the urge to gamble gives you the space you need to make more intentional choices. You might reach for your phone to place a bet when you’re feeling bored, stressed, or lonely. Some people feel the strongest pull to gamble right after payday or in certain social settings. A former lawyer, Levant was convicted in 2015 for stealing clients’ money to fund his betting habit. Since then, he has not only become an advocate for stronger regulations, but is a trained addiction therapist.

Recognizing your small victories helps build your motivation and reinforces the positive changes you’re making to stop gambling. Allow yourself to celebrate every time you go a full day without gambling, resist the urge to place a bet, or go for a walk instead of gambling. When you feel the urge to gamble, try to delay taking action on it for at least 20 minutes. During that period, you can practice mindfulness tactics or do another activity to distract yourself.