Brief Therapies for Problem Gambling Substance Abusers

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This project evaluates the efficacy of brief interventions for individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorders who also have gambling problems. In total, 220 problem gambling substance abusers will be randomized to one of three conditions: (a) a control condition consisting of 10 minutes of psychoeducation about gambling, (b) 10 minutes of brief advice about problem gambling and how to reduce it, or (c) four session of motivational and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Gambling, substance use and psychosocial problems will be assessed using standardized instruments at pre-treatment, month 2, 5, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24-month follow-up evaluations.

Official Title
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Brief Therapies for Problem Gambling Substance Abusers

Conditions
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Gambling

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: 10 minutes of psycho-education
* Behavioral: 10 minutes of brief advice
* Behavioral: four 50-minute individual therapy sessions of MET & CBT


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: age > 18 years current (past-year) DSM-IV criteria for alcohol, cocaine, opioid or marijuana abuse or dependence score >3 on the past-two month SOGS report an average of >2 gambling days per month for the past 2 months; (e) spent an average of >$50/month on gambling in the past 2 months English speaking sign informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: have uncontrolled major psychiatric disorders other than substance use that require inpatient hospitalization (e.g., active bipolar disorder, psychosis, suicidality) desire specific gambling treatment or are currently receiving treatment for gambling have severe cognitive impairment read below 5th grade level plan to relocate >100 miles or are likely to be incarcerated

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: 1<br>psychoeducation | Behavioral: 10 minutes of psycho-education<br>* Patients review with study therapist a brochure about types of gambling people engage in and relationships between gambling, drug use, moods, and legal problems.<br>|
| Experimental: 2<br>brief advice | Behavioral: 10 minutes of brief advice<br>* Patients will review with study therapist a brochure and advice about problem gambling. It will also contain methods for reducing gambling.<br>|
| Experimental: 3<br>Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)/Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) | Behavioral: four 50-minute individual therapy sessions of MET & CBT<br>* MET & CBT<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| dollars and days gambled per month |  | baseline and each follow-up | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Gambling, Brief Therapies, Substance Abuse