title: Pharmacotherapy and group cognitive behavioral therapy enhance follow-up treatment duration in gambling disorder patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Longer treatment duration is important for the successful treatment of gambling disorder (GD). This retrospective study investigated the factors and interventions that might enhance treatment duration in GD patients in South Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 758 outpatients with a primary diagnosis of GD, who were treated in a clinical practice from 2002 to 2011, were assessed by retrospective chart review. We compared the treatment duration according to pharmacotherapy and group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pharmacotherapy contributed to a longer duration of treatment maintenance, despite the patients' gambling severity (p < 0.001). Participation in group CBT (p < 0.001) and antidepressants (p = 0.009) were associated with a longer treatment duration after adjusting for age, depression, and gambling severity. The treatment maintenance duration was the longest in those receiving combined antidepressant pharmacotherapy and group CBT (F = 35.79, p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Group CBT and antidepressants seem to enhance treatment follow-up duration in GD patients. Additional studies are needed to advance GD prevention and treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: Korea Institute on Behavioral Addictions, True Mind Clinic, F7, KR Tower, 1 141, Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06132 South Korea ; Healthcare and Information Research Institute, Namseoul University, 91, Daehak-ro, Seonghwan-eup, Seobuk-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do 31021 South Korea.
authors.forename: Sam-Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 29, Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03181 South Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Chul
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Chungmugong Leadership Center, Naval Education and Training Command, Republic of Korea Navy, P.O. Box 211, 111, Jinhui-ro, Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do 51655 South Korea.
authors.forename: HyunChul
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Youn
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 29, Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03181 South Korea.
authors.forename: Se-Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Yonsei Forest Mental Health Clinic, Metroplaza 601, Jinkwan 2-ro 15-46, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, 03306 South Korea.
authors.forename: Juwon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ha
keywords: Gambling disorder; Group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT); Individual psychotherapy; Pharmacotherapy; Treatment duration