The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

The WAGER, Vol 2(17) - Imaginal Desensitization Treatment for Problem Gamblers

During the 1980s, Australian researchers1* developed a treatment technique called imaginal desensitization (ID). The ID model was based on the idea that systematic desensitization would allow individuals to control their impulsive behaviors. The patient describes four situations in which he or she typically gambles or thinks about gambling. These situations are then modified so that, in theory, the patient does not feel a need to gamble and leaves the situation in a relaxed state. The ID treatment begins with the therapist leading the patient through a five-minute series of relaxation techniques while resting on a comfortable couch in a darkened... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol 2(16) - Substance Abuse Among Ontario Adult Gamblers

Research has consistently demonstrated that problem gamblers have elevated rates of substance abuse compared to non-problem gamblers. In addition, patients in treatment programs for substance abuse have high rates of problem gambling. A recent telephone survey* of 2,016 randomly selected Ontario adults reexamined the issue of substance abuse among problem gamblers. Smart & Ferris measured substance abuse using a variety of methods. Alcohol use was assessed using measures of 1) binge drinking (5+ drinks on any one occasion in the past year), 2) alcohol dependence (CAGE and ICD10 scales), 3) alcohol problems (individual was considered to have an alcohol problem... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol 2(15) - Social Costs of Problem Gambling

For policy makers to make informed gambling-related policy decisions, they must determine the potential costs and benefits. Thompson et al.* recently estimated the social costs of problem gambling specifically for Wisconsin. The social cost survey was completed by 98 members of Gamblers Anonymous during 1995. These gamblers were mostly white (96.9%) and male (72.4%) with an average history of 6.5 years of serious problem gambling. The social costs measured in this study included 1) employment-related costs (working hours lost due to gambling, unemployment compensation due to gambling, and foregone income due to unemployment), 2) bad debts & theft costs ,... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol 2(14) - Gambling & The Internet

On April 18, 1997, the first official draw of the PLUS on-line lottery game will take place. This lottery game is authorized and controlled by the Liechtenstein government. The profits will support the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Some observers and opponents of the gambling industry fear that Internet gambling is quickly becoming an enormous draw to gamblers both with and without gambling problems. Others, including a writer for the “Rolling Good Times” web site, believe that “nambling” (net gambling) is in its "early days" and that many Internet sites face regulatory, logistic, and other struggles.... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol 2(13) - Comorbidity: Problem Gambling & Cocaine Abuse

Research consistently has shown that substance abusers have higher rates of pathological gambling than those not involved in substance abuse. A recent study* found that 14.8% of 298 adult cocaine abusers had a lifetime diagnosis of pathological gambling. This study also explored differences between cocaine abusers who were diagnosed with a gambling disorder and those that were not. One of this study’s hypotheses was that cocaine-abusing patients having a gambling disorder would also experience more severe clinical problems. This study provided evidence to support this hypothesis. Specifically, cocaine abusers diagnosed with a gambling problem had more severe psychiatric problems, more... Read more →