A Critical Review of Treatment Approaches for Gambling Disorders

This review presents the theoretical model, evidence base, and theoretical and methodological issues for seven treatment approaches to gambling disorders: 1) psychoanalytic and psychodynamic treatments; 2) Gamblers Anonymous; 3) behavioural treatments; 4) cognitive and cognitive-behavioural therapies; 5) brief, motivational, and self-directed interventions; 6) pharmacotherapies, and 7) family therapy approaches. Throughout the review, broader clinical and research issues are also discussed, including barriers to treatment-seeking, controlled gambling versus abstinence as a treatment goal, comorbidity, and the evaluation of treatment efficacy and effectiveness.