Background Module 7

Question 1

How many criteria, in what timeframe, is to be met to be diagnosed with gambling disorder?

Answer 1

4+ criteria, during the past year

Question 2

What five categories can the symptoms of GD be divided into (according to me)?

Answer 2

1. Tolerance
2. Mood
3. Control
4. Coping
5. Interpersonal

Question 3

Which GD symptom falls under the category “Tolerance”?

Answer 3

Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement

Question 4

Which GD symptom falls under the category “Mood”?

Answer 4

Restless or irritable when trying to cut down or stop gambling

Question 5

Which 2 GD symptoms falls under the category “Control”?

Answer 5

• Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back on or stop gambling
• Frequent thoughts about gambling
  (e.g., reliving past gambling experiences, planning the next gambling venture, thinking of ways to get money to gamble)

Question 6

Which 2 GD symptoms falls under the category “Cope”?

Answer 6

• Often gambling when feeling distressed
• After losing money gambling, often returning to get even (“chasing one’s losses”)

Question 7

Which 3 GD symptoms falls under the category “Interpersonal”?

Answer 7

• Lying to conceal gambling activity
• Jeopardizing or losing a SO, job or educational/career opportunity because of gambling
• Relying on others to help with money problems caused by gambling

Question 8

Within the Dutch population, for how many people (estimated, number) does pathological gambling develop? How many are considered “at risk”?

Answer 8

20k (90k, at risk)

Question 9

Gender prevalence (%) of GD?

this is of those that seek treatment btw

Answer 9

Majority male, 86%

Question 10

Which three disorders are most often reported as comorbid with GD?

Answer 10

• Anxiety disorders
• Mood disorders
• Substance abuse disorders

Question 11

What two factors (environmentally) are predictive of pathological gambling?

Answer 11

• Living in a disadvantaged neighbourhood
• Physical proximity to a casino

Question 12

What are two major problems with many interventions aimed at GD?

Answer 12

• Low rates of engagement
• High dropout rates

Question 13

What two main evidence-based interventions are commonly used for GD and what third option, with less evidence?

Answer 13

• CBT
• MI
• Gamblers Anonymous

Question 14

When is MI especially useful for GD as a standalone treatment?

Answer 14

Those unwilling to commit to intensive treatments (e.g., CBT)

Question 15

What are the six most important components of CBT for GD?

Answer 15

• Focus on client request/motivation
• Psycho-education
• Functional analysis (trigger & sustain)
• Stimulus control
• Challenging maladaptive cognitions
• Relapse prevention

Question 16

What are some (3) examples of stimulus control in GD (as executed by CBT)?

Answer 16

• Reducing availability of money
• Removing access to casinos/gambling places (incl online)
• Increasing rewarding value of alternative activities

Question 17

What are two examples of challenging cognitions in GD (as executed by CBT)?

Answer 17

• “Gambling illusions”
• Irrational thoughts

Question 18

What does relapse prevention for GD, within CBT, look like?

Answer 18

• Identification of high-risk situations (social pressure, negative emotions, interpersonal conflict, etc.)
• Provide appropriate strategies for dealing with above