The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

The WAGER, Vol 1(35) - Outcome Study of Gamblers Anonymous

Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is a 12-step fellowship designed to offer support and community to those who are having a gambling problem. While anecdotal evidence exists as to the benefit of GA for certain individuals, overall effectiveness of GA as a therapeutic intervention is difficult to measure. Obsta­cles to measuring GA’s efficacy include 1) a lack of reliable record keeping, due to anonymity, 2) the self-report nature of information, 3) bias due to self-selection of sample, and 4) lack of a comparable control group. In addition, the criterion of success of treatment held by GA is total abstinence from gambling, which... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol 1(34) - Pathological Gambling Among American Indians

A recent study tested the hypothesis that American Indian adults evidence higher rates of problematic and compulsive gambling behaviors than non-Indian adult populations. This study was conducted in a rural Northern Plains reservation and neighboring non-Indian communities. Zitzow found that a significantly greater percentage of American Indian respondents qualified for problematic and pathological gambling status than non-Indians. Rates for American Indians were nearly twice as high as for non-Indians using either of two instruments (SOGS & DSM-III-R). The author discussed several condi­tions that can place American Indian reservation adults at greater risk for problematic or compulsive gambling behaviors, including (1)... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol 1(33) - Preventing Pathological Gambling Among Adolescents

Although recent research has shown that 4.4-7.4% of adolescents in North America can be diagnosed as pathological gamblers, and a much larger percentage of adolescents gamble illegally, little work has been done in the area of prevention. Gaboury and Ladouceur1 recently conducted an evaluation of a prevention program for pathological gambling among adolescents in the Quebec city area which included information and strategies for coping with gambling behavior. The prevention program was initi­ated in five junior and four senior classes among 134 students; nine matched classes constituted the control group (n=155). The program consisted of three 75 minutes sessions conducted... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol 1(32) - Underage Gambling in Atlantic City Casinos

After 1985, no one under 21 years of age legally has been permitted to gamble in Atlantic City casinos. Research confirms that despite this regulation, underage gambling in Atlantic City casinos and other casinos around the country occurs. For example, the Casino Control Commission in New Jersey reports that in 1987 200,000 underage youth were refused entry to a casino and 35,000 were ushered from the casino floor1. Frank conducted a study** of students (n=636) in a college near Atlantic City to determine the incidence and frequency of undergraduate students’ gambling. To increase the reliability and representativeness of the study... Read more →