Professionally delivered interventions for gambling disorder

Abstract

Purpose of review: To assess recent developments in professionally delivered interventions for gambling disorder.

Recent findings: During the past 24 months a number of reviews and individual studies have been published. Collectively they assess the efficacy and effectiveness of a range of interventions and identify methodological and other shortcomings. These studies advance knowledge with respect to pharmacological and psychological treatments including brief interventions delivered face-to-face and in other ways. Increased attention has been given to patient diversity, comorbidity, relapse, and nongambling outcomes. A variety of novel interventions have been developed and assessed.

Summary: CBT and brief interventions remain well supported and appear to be similarly effective across varied patient groups. A range of promising new and combination treatments have been developed that require further evaluation. Larger, more robust pragmatic trials are required with diverse populations. Increased attention needs to be given to mechanisms of change, therapy mediators, patient retention, comorbidities, long-term treatment outcome, and relapse prevention.