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Gambling disorder is defined as persistent and repetitive gambling behavior that causes clinically significant distress. With the spread of the internet, the concept of online gambling as a type of gambling disorder has been added to the picture. Although the symptoms are the same, it is not included as a diagnosis in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-fifth edition. In online gambling studies, it is stated that These include the influence of subculture, the need for socialization, false beliefs, low emotional control,
depression, and anxiety. It is known that there are many barriers to the treatment of gambling disorder. The most important of these is that individuals with gambling disorder do not seek treatment. In addition, co-diagnosis of individuals with gambling disorder with alcohol, substance use disorder, and/or other psychiatric
disorders complicates the treatment of gambling disorder. There are different approaches to the treatment of gambling disorder. Alongside treatments that adopt a self-help approach, such as Gamblers Anonymous, short-term approaches appear to be effective in the treatment of gambling disorder. Brief psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapies, cognitive behavioral therapies, and brief motivational interviewbased approaches are known as effective methods in the treatment of gambling disorder. Gambling disorder is as complex a process as human behavior. It is stated that approximately 75% of individuals with gambling disorder have a history of loss just before the onset of the gambling disorder or in their early childhood experiences. The health burden and negative effects of gambling addiction and other behavioral addictions for society are substantial. Therefore, gambling addiction and other behavioral addictions should be prevented before they develop.
Cite this article as: Okray, Z., & Direktör, C. (2021). Diagnosis and treatment of gambling addiction. Addicta: The Turkish Journal on Addictions., 8(3), 194-200.