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CEs

DIAGNOSIS: Gambling Disorder
TREATMENT: Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Gambling Disorder

2015 EST Status: StrongResearch Support (SEE REPORT)Very strong: High-quality evidence that treatment improves symptoms and functional outcomes at post-treatment and follow-up; little risk of harm; requires reasonable amount of resources; effective in non-research settings

Strong: Moderate- to high-quality evidence that treatment improves symptoms OR functional outcomes; not a high risk of harm; reasonable use of resources

Weak: Low or very low-quality evidence that treatment produces clinically meaningful effects on symptoms or functional outcomes; Gains from the treatment may not warrant resources involved

Insufficient Evidence: No meta-analytic study could be identified

Insufficient Evidence: Existing meta-analyses are not of sufficient quality

Treatment pending re-evaluation

1998 EST Status: N/A Research Support Strong: Support from two well-designed studies conducted by independent investigators.

Modest: Support from one well-designed study or several adequately designed studies.

Controversial: Conflicting results, or claims regarding mechanisms are unsupported.

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Brief Summary

  • 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.

Treatment Resources

Editors: Rory A. Pfund, PhD; Meredith K. Ginley, PhD; James P. Whelan, PhD

Note: The resources provided below are intended to supplement not replace foundational training in mental health treatment and evidence-based practice

Treatment Manuals Training Resources Measures, Handouts and Worksheets Self-help Books Smartphone Apps Video Demonstrations Video Descriptions Clinical Trials Meta-Analyses and Systematic Reviews Other Treatment Resources

Treatment Manuals / Outlines

Treatment Manuals
Books Available for Purchase Through External Sites

Measures, Handouts and Worksheets

Self-help Books

Important Note: The books listed above are based on empirically-supported in-person treatments. They have not necessarily been evaluated empirically either by themselves or in conjunction with in-person treatment. We list them as a resource for clinicians who assign them as an adjunct to conducting in-person treatment.

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:

Video Demonstrations

Videos Available for Purchase Through External Sites

Clinical Trials

Meta-analyses and Systematic Reviews

Other Treatment Resources