Gambling Disorder: An Overview with Emphasis on Psychological Treatments

Abstract

Gambling disorder is also referred to as “The Hidden Addiction’’. Gambling is defined simply as wagering for money and was previously thought to be an adult disorder. Recent studies show that it is twice as rampant in adolescents as it is in adults. The prevalence of gambling at Kisii University Eldoret campus student population in Kenya has been shown to be high and about 60% of students have gambled at least once while attending this University. Gambling Disorder has been found to exist with other mental health disorders like anxiety disorders, mood disorders, Substance Use Disorders, etc. This comorbidity further complicates its treatment. In Kenya examples of sports betting and lotteries which act as strong lures for gambling are Mcheza, Sports pesa, Lotto, Bet yetu, Pambazuka e.t.c. These promise great financial rewards. The three subtypes of gambling identified by Blaszczynski and Nower are the behaviourally conditioned, the emotionally vulnerable and the biologically vulnerable. Five motives have also been proposed for the same. Treatment of this disorder involves pharmacological and psychological treatments. This paper reviews the available literature on the psychological treatments for Gambling Disorder. Some of the effective psychological treatments for Gambling Disorder include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy, Group therapy, Self Help treatment and Harm reduction.