Clinical Trial: Cognitive Behavioral Treatments for Pathological Gambling

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Cognitive Behavioral Treatments for Pathological Gambling

Brief Summary: This study will determine the effectiveness of three different treatment strategies in reducing gambling behaviors in pathological gamblers.

Detailed Summary:

Pathological gambling is a chronic disorder in which a person is unable to control the urge to gamble. People who are pathological gamblers constantly think about gambling, and they may feel restless when not able to gamble. A pathological gambler's addiction to the thrill of gambling may lead to serious relationship, career, and debt problems. The number of pathological gamblers in the United States is steadily growing, leading to significant financial, psychological, and public health consequences. However, studies examining the effectiveness of treatments for pathological gamblers are limited. Forms of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and addiction support groups comprise some of the commonly used treatments for pathological gamblers. This study will compare the effectiveness of three different treatment strategies, including psychoeducation therapy plus case management, CBT, and CBT plus contingency management (CM), in reducing gambling behaviors and other problems related to pathological gambling.

Participation in this study will last 2 years. All potential participants will undergo an initial screening that will include questions about gambling behaviors and related problems and psychiatric, medical, social, legal, and substance abuse history. Eligible participants will be referred to Gambler's Anonymous (GA) and will be randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. All participants will attend a 50-minute session of their assigned treatment each week for 8 weeks. They will also be encouraged to attend GA meetings during treatment.

• Group 1 participants will receive psychoeducation therapy plus case management. Therapy sessions will include education about gambling and related problems. The case management component of treatment will offer help with obtai
  Sponsor: UConn Health
  

  Current Primary Outcome: Addiction Severity Index (ASI) gambling severity scores [ Time Frame: Measured at pretreatment and Months 2, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 follow-ups ]
  
  

  Original Primary Outcome: Addiction Severity Index (ASI) gambling severity scores [ Time Frame: Measured at pre-treatment and Months 2, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 follow-ups ]
  
  

  Current Secondary Outcome:
  
  

  Original Secondary Outcome:
  
  Information By: UConn Health
  

  Dates:
  Date Received: February 15, 2008
  Date Started: August 2004
  Date Completion:
  Last Updated: December 23, 2011
  Last Verified: December 2011