title: Internet-based CBT intervention for gamblers in Finland: experiences from the field.
abstract: From September 2007 to May 2011 a total of 471 participants (325 males and 146 females) signed up for an 8-week Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy offered for gamblers in Finland. Sixty-four percent of the participants were pathological gamblers (PGs) (NODS 5> points), 14% were problem gamblers (NODS 3-4 points) and 10% were at risk of gambling problems (NODS 1-2 points). Two hundred and twenty four participants completed the treatment and after the treatment period significant changes were found in the following variables: gambling related problems (NODS), gambling urge, impaired control of gambling, alcohol consumption (AUDIT-C), social consequences, gambling-related cognitive erroneous thoughts and depression (MARD-S). In this sample co-morbid alcohol consumption was stronger among males. The main finding of this study was that the onset age of gambling was associated with a greater amount of gambling-related cognitive erroneous thoughts.
authors: National Institute for Health and Welfare, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Helsinki, Finland. sari.castren@thl.fi
authors: Sari
authors: S
authors: Castrén
authors: Maiju
authors: M
authors: Pankakoski
authors: Manu
authors: M
authors: Tamminen
authors: Jari
authors: J
authors: Lipsanen
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Ladouceur
authors: Tuuli
authors: T
authors: Lahti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D005715:Gambling / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012737:Sex Factors; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult