title: A randomized controlled trial of brief interventions for problem gambling in substance abuse treatment patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the efficacy of brief gambling treatments in patients attending substance abuse treatment clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Substance abuse treatment patients with gambling problems (N = 217) were randomly assigned to a 10- to 15-min brief psychoeducation gambling intervention; a 10- to 15-min brief advice intervention addressing gambling norms, risk factors, and methods to prevent additional problems; or 4 50-min sessions of motivational enhancement therapy plus cognitive behavior therapy for reducing gambling (MET + CBT). Gambling and related problems were assessed at baseline and throughout 24 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the sample as a whole, days and dollars wagered and gambling problems decreased markedly from baseline through Month 5; thereafter, reductions in dollars wagered and gambling problems continued to decrease modestly but significantly, and days gambled remained constant. Brief advice significantly reduced days gambled between baseline and Month 5 relative to brief psychoeducation. The MET + CBT condition engendered no benefit beyond brief advice in terms of days gambled but did lead to more precipitous reductions in dollars gambled and problems experienced in the initial 5 months, and greater clinically significant improvements in gambling in both the short and long term. MET + CBT also resulted in initial decreases in self-reported alcohol use and problems but did not differentially impact self-reported illicit drug use or submission of positive samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gambling problems tend to dissipate over time regardless of the intervention applied, but offering MET + CBT was more efficacious in decreasing gambling than providing a brief single session intervention. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors.affiliation: Calhoun Cardiology Center, University of Connecticut School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Nancy M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Petry
authors.affiliation: Calhoun Cardiology Center, University of Connecticut School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Carla J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Rash
authors.affiliation: Calhoun Cardiology Center, University of Connecticut School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Sheila M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Alessi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D062405:Motivational Interviewing / Q000379:methods; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*