Describe similarities between Gambling Disorder and substance-related disorders. How is Gambling Disorder treated, and how effective are the treatments?

What will be an ideal response?

The DSM-5 criteria for gambling disorder include the same pattern of urges we observe in the other substance-related disorders. Other parallels with substance dependence include "tolerance," with the need to gamble increasing amounts of money over time and the "withdrawal symptoms" such as restlessness and irritability when attempting to stop. Moreover, it is associated with social and occupational impairment. For example, among pathological gamblers, 14% have lost at least one job, 19% have declared bankruptcy, 32% have been arrested, and 21% have been incarcerated (Gerstein et al., 1999).

Treatment of gambling problems is difficult. Treatment is often similar to substance dependence treatment, and there is a parallel Gambler's Anonymous that incorporates the same 12-step program in Alcoholics Anonymous. However, the evidence of effectiveness for Gambler's Anonymous suggests that 70% to 90% drop out of these programs and that the desire to quit must be present before intervention (Ashley & Boehlke, 2012). Cognitive-behavioral interventions are also being studied, with one study including a variety of components—setting financial limits, planning alternative activities, preventing relapse, and imaginal desensitization. This preliminary research provides a more optimistic view of potential outcomes (Dowling, Smith, & Thomas, 2007).