Treatment of Compulsive Gamblers
Treatment options for pathological gamblers are limited due in part that a systematic treatment itself is still largely unexplored. In a 1970s experiment on compulsive gambling treatment, eight gamblers together with their spouses were treated using group psychotherapy. The aim of the treatment is to find out whether a gambler's pathological problem has a direct link to his/her turbulent and chaotic marital relationship.
Moreover, the aim also takes a look on whether the gambler's spouse displays serious maladaptive behavior patterns either. The result was that three of the gamblers ceased gambling completely; while the other five still returned gambling, but only rarely. What does this say then? The group psychotherapy focused first on the gamblers marital relationships that led to the successful treatment of gambling disorders. Marital relationships have largely influenced the treatment outcomes. Six out of the eight pairs further showed significant improvements afterwards.
Besides this classic treatment, there are other treatment approaches such as covert sensitization and aversion therapy. They have been tried and tested for individual cases. However, mental health professionals admit that further studies are needed before they can fully evaluate the effectiveness of this psychotherapy approach as a potential treatment for the disorder.
Pathological gamblers can only be treated if they volunteer for it. If they want to change, they can find help in Gamblers Anonymous. This group has been founded in 1957 in Los Angeles, California by two former compulsive gamblers who learned that they can help each other by relating their problems and experiences with others. Since then, Gamblers Anonymous has grown and is running as group circles throughout the United States. The group, modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, is convinced that those who gamble should be responsible for their own actions.
Membership to the group requires the gambler to take constructive steps to stop gambling. Huddled in a circle, the gamblers share their experiences and try to make sense of it all that would explain their irrational behavior towards gambling. It is important to them to realize the inevitable consequences of gambling and they stay in sessions to discuss how to deal with it. Alcoholics Anonymous does the same way. Members help each other to maintain their control over alcohol and prevent relapses.
Unfortunately, however, only few compulsive gamblers ever find their way into Gamblers Anonymous. If they do, the group doesn't guarantee treatment. In fact, only one out of ten people truly get out from their problems and stop gambling forever. This definitely calls for more study to find more treatment options on the matter.
