Gambling Disorder: Future Perspectives in Research and Treatment

Abstract

The phenomenon of problem gambling is clearly a relevant public health concern. It is the first non-substance-use behavior formally recognized as a possible addiction by the American Psychiatric Association in DSM-5 in 2013 and is similarly discussed by the World Health Organization in ICD-11. For gambling-related problems, very serious negative consequences, especially in social, psychological, and financial domains, are common. The impact of gambling disorder extends beyond those with the disorder as family, friends, employers, and others are affected. Thus, gambling disorder is a significant mental health issue that unfortunately receives relatively rather limited attention compared with other disorders. Due to its relevance to society, gambling disorder should be of interest not only to physicians, psychologists, and other mental health care practitioners but also to government agencies. Therefore, it is important to understand how best to regulate gambling and prevent and treat gambling problems. Thus, this book chapter on future perspectives in research and treatment of gambling disorder focusses on important questions like why gambling phenomena require more attention, what needs to be reconsidered in classification and diagnostics, how to better understand the neurobiological mechanisms, and also how to advance prevention and treatment of gambling disorder in the future.