Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the patterns of gambling behaviour and treatment results of pathological gamblers, who participate at an inpatient treatment program. The influence of comorbid psychic disorders, characteristics of the former career of gambling and sociodemographic factors on treatment results as well as on the further development of the pathological gambling disorder was evaluated. METHODS: Characteristics of the previous disorder course, comorbid axis I und axis II disorders and sociodemographic marks were measured. To evaluate the treatment results and the further development of the pathological gambling disorder the patients completed an assessment for psychological distress and for involvement in gambling. In addition abstinence at six-month-follow-up was investigated. DATA BASIS: 101 inpatients of a clinic for psychosomatic and dependence disorders with a primary diagnosis of pathological gambling, who were treated in a gambling abstinence focused psychotherapy program, participated in the study. A pre- post- and six-month-follow-up assessment was conducted. RESULTS: The prevailing form of gambling was the one at slot machines (94.1%) followed by casino games (17.8%) and sports-betting (12.9%). The active gambling time was at average 14.5 years and after an average of 5.8 years the patients felt addicted to gambling. The sample in general demonstrated a significant decrease of psychological distress and of involvement in gambling from pre to post and from pre to follow-up assessment. Disadvantageous influences on treatment results are comorbid anxiety disorders, personality disorders, lack of gambling abstinence before joining the treatment program and the lack of a partnership. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbid psychic disorders, especially anxiety disorders and personality disorders should be taken into account by planning the individual treatment. A preparation, which sets the focus on gambling abstinence, prior to joining the treatment program has an advantageous impact on long term treatment success. The abstinence rates achieved by the conducted multimodal cognitive- behavioural treatment program are similar to those attained by comparable treatment programs for alcoholics.
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