Behavioral risk factors in disordered gambling and treatment implications

Abstract

This chapter discusses the range of behavioral and situational factors that can contribute to both gambling as well as disordered gambling and how these factors are taken into account in intervention strategies. It focuses principally on the psychological and conditioning processes that maintain and trigger gambling episodes. Then, it proceeds to some discussion of social and environmental factors (e.g., the role of families, peers and culture) that can influence gambling. The chapter provides a review of existing knowledge concerning the nature and effectiveness of behavioral interventions for disordered gambling. It also considers the importance of broader social work, counseling, pre-commitment and self-help strategies. Such strategies can also assist gamblers and their families to restructure their lives and behavior so as to reduce opportunities for gambling, control expenditure, and reduce potential harm. Behavioral interventions are now recognized as an important element of best-practice therapies for problem gambling.