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A Proof of Concept for Using Brief Dialectical Behavior Therapy as a Treatment for Problem Gambling

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 April 2013

Darren R. Christensen ,
Nicki A. Dowling ,
Alun C. Jackson ,
Meredith Brown ,
James Russo ,
Kate L. Francis  and
Azusa Umemoto
Darren R. Christensen*
Affiliation:
Problem Gambling Research and Treatment Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Nicki A. Dowling
Affiliation:
Problem Gambling Research and Treatment Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Alun C. Jackson
Affiliation:
Problem Gambling Research and Treatment Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Meredith Brown
Affiliation:
School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
James Russo
Affiliation:
Gamblers Help North Western, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Kate L. Francis
Affiliation:
Problem Gambling Research and Treatment Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Azusa Umemoto
Affiliation:
Problem Gambling Research and Treatment Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Darren Christensen, Problem Gambling Research and Treatment Centre, University of Melbourne, 100 Leicester Street, Melbourne VIC 3010, Australia. Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Fourteen ‘treatment resistant’ problem gamblers received 9 weeks of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) at specialist problem gambling services delivered in Melbourne, Australia. This study is the first to investigate the effectiveness of a brief DBT treatment for problem gambling, with a focus on measuring change in the four DBT process skills (mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion dysregulation, and negative relationships). Although there were no statistically significant improvements in measures of gambling behaviour, 83% of participants were abstinent or reduced their gambling expenditure pre- to post-treatment. Participants also reported statistically and clinically significant improvements in psychological distress, mindfulness, and distress tolerance. Moreover, there were no increases in alcohol or substance use. These results are discussed in the context of focusing on a single DBT process skill, and the benefits of using group-based approaches.

Keywords

problem gamblingdialectical behavior therapyborderline personality disordertreatment
Type
Standard Papers
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 30 , Issue 2 , June 2013 , pp. 117 - 137
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2013

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