Minimal treatments and problem gamblers: A preliminary investigation

Abstract

In view of the increasing popularity of minimal intervention treatments for problem drinking, a self-help manual for people who wish to reduce or stop gambling was prepared. Twenty-nine (ACT residents) who responded to advertisements for help with problem gambling were allocated to either of two minimal treatments, "Manual (only)" and "Manual & Interview". On average, clients from both groups reduced the frequency of their gambling sessions, frequency of overspending, and amount spent per week in the first three months and next three months after first contact, but expenditure per session increased from three to six months, after an initial improvement. There was no evidence that a single in-depth interview added to the effectiveness of the manual.

Compulsive Aspects of Impulse-Control Disorders

“…One study of a brief intervention in the form of a workbook (which included cognitivebehavioral and motivational enhancement techniques) was compared with the use of the workbook plus one clinician interview [38]. Both groups reported significant reductions in gambling at a 6-month follow-up.…”

Assessing and Treating Problem Gambling: Empirical Status and Promising Trends

“…Dickerson and others evaluated a minimal intervention for gamblers by comparing a self-help manual mailed to subjects with the manual plus telephone and postal contact only (69). The manual-only group reduced their weekly gambling sessions and weekly dollars wagered for the 6 months following the manual's mailing, whereas the manual-plus-interview group showed this reduction for only 3 months postinterview.…”

Online self-guided interventions for the treatment of problem gambling

“…Research suggests that moderate or mild problem gamblers are able to employ practical, problem-focused strategies and that such gamblers might benefit from the development of easily accessible intervention (Toneatto et al, 2008). Although the mechanisms for change remain unknown, extant research has demonstrated the benefits of self-help options (Dickerson, Hinchy, & England, 1990;Hodgins, Currie, & el-Guebaly, 2001). …”