Across Australia, problem gambling rates are on the rise, and local researchers are looking for ways to help treat this particular addiction. Recently, a researcher at Relationships Australia has found that only a few sessions of psychological treatment could help to improve a player’s dangerous gambling actions.

According to Nursing Careers Allied Health, the study was led by Dr Jemima Petch, who is the Head of Research at Relationships Australia. Her study involved the researching the effects of various psychology methods in the treatment of gambling addiction. It followed 60 clients for six months. The participants involved in the study were first assessed for the severity of their gambling addictions.

Dr Petch and her team looked out of ‘unhelpful beliefs around gambling, psychological distress, loneliness, alcohol problems’ in addition to social issues surrounding work and personal relationship. By the end of the six month period, Dr. Petch found that 55% of participants experienced meaningful improvement during their psychological treatment.

The number of participants experiencing depression dropped from 36% to 14% while those experiencing anxiety dropped from 25% to 13%. “There’s something about seeking treatment, being engaged with a professional that I think produces positive effects not just the treatment itself,” she said at the 49th Annual Australian Psychological Society conference.

The results of the study were so encouraging that Relationships Australia has added new services targeted to problem gamblers. Now, therapists will be able to provide gambling therapy sessions for individuals that call into the Gambling Help Service. Counsellors take all calls from problem gamblers and even offer to do interventions immediately. They also book appointments for face-to-face counselling.

This new proactive approach has resulted in fewer therapy dropouts. It certainly seems to be working, and it is important to note that psychological treatment is a useful tool in treating problem gambling among Australians.

About the Author

George Anderson
Author George, has over 25+ years’ experience in the Pokies and Casinos industry throughout Australia and New Zealand. Loves to research new Pokies games on the block and follows announcements from top industry providers about their upcoming releases. As soon as a new interesting pokie game appears on his radar, George is there to check it out and give you the scoop before anyone else and tell you about all casino sites where can play the latest game. Before this gig, George worked as Pokie game tester, making him an ideal candidate for this genre of work. He is also an animal lover and a proud owner of three dogs.