U of L study seeks to find additional treatment for disordered gambling

caroline.zentner — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 18:01:49 +0000

A ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge researcher has launched a study that looks at the addition of contingency management (CM) to standard counselling practices for disordered gambling. CM works by rewarding counselling attendance and abstinence from gambling.

Dr. Darren Christensen, a U of L addictions counselling professor, says contingency management has been used successfully in the treatment of various addictive substances. CM uses motivational incentives, usually vouchers that can be exchanged for retail goods and services, as rewards when a participant performs a target behaviour or withheld when the participant doesn’t perform the behaviour.

“Problem gambling is a significant public health concern in Canada, causing harm to not only the gambler, but to his or her family and society at large,” says Christensen. “New treatment approaches are needed as gamblers often refuse to attend treatment and also have high treatment drop-out rates. This study will help us determine if contingency management will improve the overall effectiveness of treatment for disordered gambling.”

CM is based on the premise that problematic gambling develops in association with the regular but variable nature of gambling wins. The CM treatment uses the same approach to reverse these associations. It appears to be very successful but has only been applied once to problematic gambling. With this study, Christensen hopes to provide more evidence regarding its use as an additional treatment for people with disordered gambling.

Christensen is seeking English-speaking research participants who meet the criteria of a diagnosis of disordered gambling, who are 18 to 75 years old and primarily seeking treatment for disordered gambling. The study requires participants to be involved for 14 weeks. Anyone interested in participating is asked to contact Christensen at 403-329-5124.

Against the odds - repairing marriage bonds

trevor.kenney — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:54:10 +0000

Problem gambling can shake every aspect of one's life – particularly a marriage, which can crumble under the weight of financial stress and betrayal. But Dr. Bonnie Lee says the relationship between gambling and marital stress isn't as straightforward as many assume.

"Most people think linearly, 'Look what problem gambling did,'" argues the assistant professor in the Addictions Counselling program in the School of Health Sciences. "They're less aware that maybe those problems were there in the first place."

Dr. Bonnie Lee believes repairing marriage bonds can bolster recovery from gambling addiction.

Lee, who uses marriage counselling to treat gambling addiction and other mental health symptoms, is researching the complex relationship between clinical problems such as gambling, depression and couple intimacy. There are many causes of addiction, but difficulties in one's relationships figure prominently. After the addictive behaviour develops, Lee explains that the addiction exacerbates relationship difficulties, and relationship conflicts worsen the addiction, creating "a vicious and defeating circle of cause-and-effect."

Her recent research substantiates this. With the assistance of three undergraduate students interested in clinical research, Lee analyzed transcripts from couple therapy sessions during the summer.

"These couples had problems in their relationships – I call them 'fault lines' – far before the gambling problems began."

The limited depth and range of their conversations precluded intimacy and their problems from being resolved.

The emotional distance between spouses ultimately creates lives of secrecy, of which gambling was an instance.
Without spousal support, a pressure point – usually a life transition like retirement, the birth of a child or job loss – could precipitate a gambling problem. Because the loss and deception only deepen the divide between spouses, the residual anger and lack of trust in the relationship can lead to relapse.

Lee thinks helping gamblers and depressed individuals in the context of couple therapy can pay huge dividends. By repairing the foundation of a couple's relationship, one makes available to both partners an invaluable life resource in support and understanding that bolsters recovery. However, success hinges on the willingness of both spouses to take part in counselling, and Lee is developing a way of recruiting the fearful spouse, a strategy that seems to be working well.

"Couple work is better done sooner than later before the marriage reaches the point of no return."

UNews - counselling

U of L study seeks to find additional treatment for disordered gambling

Related Topics

Against the odds - repairing marriage bonds

Related Topics