- Basic premise: Cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) involves increasing an individual’s awareness about the thoughts and situations that lead them to gamble. Correspondingly, individuals will develop new ways of thinking about gambling and values-based alternatives to gambling.
- Length: The average length of treatment is about 8 weekly sessions.
Other Treatment Resources
Meta-analyses and Systematic Reviews
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of cognitive-behavioural interventions to reduce problem gambling: Hedging our bets? (Gooding & Tarrier, 2009)
- Cognitive-behavioral treatment for gambling harm: Umbrella review and meta-analysis (Pfund, Ginley, et al., 2023)
- Effect of cognitive-behavioral techniques for problem gambling and gambling disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis (Pfund, Forman, et al., 2023)
- Effects of cognitive behavioral techniques for gambling on recovery defined by gambling, psychological functioning, and quality of life: A systematic review and meta-analysis (Pfund, King, et al., 2023)
- Psychological therapies for pathological and problem gambling (Cowlishaw et al., 2012)
Clinical Trials
- A randomized trial of brief interventions for problem and pathological gamblers (Petry et al., 2008)
- A randomized controlled trial of brief interventions for problem gambling in substance abuse treatment patients (Petry, Rash, & Alessi, 2016)
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy for pathological gamblers (Petry et al., 2006)
- Group therapy for pathological gamblers: A cognitive approach (Ladouceur et al., 2003)
- Motivational enhancement and self-help treatments for problem gambling (Hodgins, Curri, & el-Guebaly, 2001)
- Randomized trial of Internet-delivered self-help with telephone support for pathological gamblers (Carlbring & Smit, 2008)
Smartphone Apps
There are several CBT-based smartphone applications available. However, many of these applications have not been empirically tested (McCurdy et al., 2023). The apps with the most empirical support and that are grounded in CBT principles are listed below:
Books Available for Purchase Through External Sites
- Becoming a Winner: Defeating Problem Gambling (Hodgins, 2000)
- Overcoming Gambling Addiction: A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques (2nd edition) (Blaszczynski, 2018)
- Overcoming Your Pathological Gambling: Workbook (Ladouceur & LaChance, 2006)
Measures, Handouts and Worksheets
Related Diagnosis
Gambling Disorder
EST Status
N/A
2015 EST Status
Strong
2015 EST Report Link
CBT-gambling-Tolin-Criteria-Evaluation-Report.pdf
1998 EST Status
N/A