In this mini-series on problem gambling, we’ve covered some unhappy statistics about gambling and its risk factors. But what can be done about it? Are there effective treatments for gambling addiction? Let’s look at what experts are trying.
Current standards for gambling addiction treatment
Problem gambling affects people in different ways, and so do the treatments. The most commonly used treatment options for gambling addiction include:
Medications like antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and even narcotic antagonists may help treat compulsive gambling, although no medication has been approved specifically for gambling addiction
Cognitive behavioral therapy and other types of one-on-one counseling
Support groups, including 12-step programs like Gamblers Anonymous
Lifestyle changes that encourage better health and relationships, such as developing better boundaries and new social groups
Treating compulsive gambling often involves treating an underlying disorder, such as depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Many people may benefit from a combination of methods.
Telehealth for compulsive gambling?
Although remote behavioral healthcare and mental health apps experienced a burst of popularity during the Covid-19 public health emergency, these technologies are still in the early stages. Mental health experts aren’t sure about the long-term benefits of remote treatment for many behavioral health concerns.
Tennessee-based telemental health company Kindbridge has partnered with UK-based gaming technology company Playtech to launch the Kindbridge Research Institute. This partnership aims “to create an evidence-based teletherapy model for gambling and gaming disorders.”
The Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University will build this model. The institute hopes to analyze player data to better understand how disordered gambling develops and whether the Kindbridge approach is effective in treating it.
Other virtual options may help individuals who engage in compulsive gambling. Workit Health, founded in 2015, provides virtual services for users with addictions and co-occurring issues. The company’s approach uses a combination of online individual and group therapy and medication-assisted treatment. In October 2021, Workit announced a $118 million Series C led by Insight Partners, and that it has raised a total of $140 million in equity to date.
Researchers to consider ketamine for gambling addiction
Biotech company Awakn Life Sciences is recruiting participants for a new study that will investigate whether ketamine has potential for treating gambling addiction. Celia Morgan, professor of psychopharmacology at the University of Exeter and Awakn’s head of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for addiction, will lead the study.
This study aims to explore whether ketamine’s effect on human memory could be used to alter the “superstitious thinking” common in problem gambling, or reduce the compulsive urge to gamble. This effect has already been shown to have potential in treating alcohol use disorder.
If you provide behavioral health and addiction treatment services, it could benefit your organization to understand the treatment options and research for compulsive gambling. Keeping up-to-date on research can help you stay on the cutting edge of treatment.
BestNotes EHR solutions, designed specifically for behavioral health and addiction treatment providers, can help your clients achieve the best outcomes with less frustration and cost. From admission to telehealth to outcome tracking to reporting, we cover the entire client experience and your business process. Contact us today to learn more about how can help your practice succeed.
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