Gaming, substance use and distress within a cohort of online gamblers

Internet, App-Based, and Casino Gambling: Associations Between Modality, Problem Gambling, and Substance Use

Technology-based gambling prevalence is not well understood since relevant questions are not included in health and disease surveillance studies. The current study sought to estimate the prevalence of internet-based and smartphone app-based gambling, along with casino gambling, in a sample of U.S. young adults and determine if gambling modality was associated with problem gambling symptoms or substance use. The 2022 Rhode Island Young Adult Survey included N = 1,022 students between the ages of 18 to 25 years old who had lived in Rhode Island, with n = 414 lifetime gamblers (40.5%) included in this study. Odds of gambling via a smartphone app and on the internet, respectively, were greater in heterosexual cis-males compared to heterosexual cis-females (OR[95%CI] = 3.14 [1.25,7.91]; OR[95%CI] = 6.30 [2.05,19.3]). Internet gambling amongst employed students was less common than among those who were not a student and not employed (OR[95%CI] = 0.25 [0.06,1.00]). Odds of problem gambling symptoms were higher among those who gambled via a smartphone app (OR[95%CI] = 3.23 [1.21,8.60]). All forms of gambling were associated with alcohol consumption, although the strength of the association was stronger in app and internet gamblers. Casino gamblers were more likely to be high risk marijuana and illicit drug users. The rising availability of app gambling coupled with its social, psychological, and cultural context may presents an alternative pathway to problem gambling. Bans on internet gambling and/or strict guidelines on the frequency of wagers and cash placed per wager, should be considered as viable methods to mitigate associated consequences.

Pilot data findings from the Gothenburg treatment for gaming disorder: a cognitive behavioral treatment manual

Background

Gaming disorder (GD) is a new diagnosis included in the latest edition of the International Classification of Disease -11. Recently conducted international studies suggest a prevalence rate close to 2% for GD, highlighting the need for effective treatments for this patient population. Internationally there are few studies investigating effective treatments specifically designed for this condition. In this pilot study, we wanted to test a newly developed method, the Gothenburg Treatment for Gaming Disorder (GOT-TO-GO) manual; a 15-week cognitive behavioral therapy treatment for GD.

Method

This study utilized a single group design with pretest, post-test and a three- and six-month follow-up, with measures of severity of GD and mood. The participants (n = 28) were treatment-seeking adults with GD, aged 17 to 49 years.

Results

The results show a statistically significant decrease in symptoms of GD after treatment. Hours of gaming per week also decreased concomitantly with a 100% increase in non-gaming leisure hours. The decrease in symptoms of GD was maintained at the 3-months follow-up after treatment. Correspondingly we saw a decrease in both depression and anxiety that also was upheld 3 months after treatment.

Conclusion

As GD is a new diagnostic concept more research is needed, also taking psychiatric comorbidity into consideration, to arrive at evidence-based conclusions regarding effective treatments. Considering the promising results in this small pilot study with large behavioral changes and reduced symptoms of GD, upheld at least 3 months after treatment, a larger randomized controlled study is warranted.Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT05328596?term=NCT05328596&draw=2&rank=1, identifier NCT05328596.