Researchers around the world continue to work hard to get to the bottom of problem gambling, search potential causes and links to other conditions. A new study by researchers at Yale University are breaking new ground in this area, after having found a link between gambling addiction and obsessive behaviour. As noted in Psych Central, the research team interviewed 1675 adult male twins.
They found that those who exhibit severe obsessive compulsive behaviour were more likely to be problem gamblers. The type of behaviour that qualified as ‘obsessive compulsive’ included fear of germs and performing ritualistic tasks.
“People with gambling problems often have strong drives and preoccupations that focus on gambling, and these may be considered in a family of obsessions," says senior author Dr. Marc Potenza, a professor of psychiatry and neurobiology Yale’s School of Medicine.
The results of the study will serve a useful purpose in the treatment of problem gamblers. Identifying potential links to other types of harmful behaviour can aid in the development of prevention and treatment programs. Dr Potenza continues: “This common biological basis of the disorders could help inform treatment development efforts for individuals with co-occurring gambling problems and obsessive-compulsive behaviors”.
In many cases of gambling addiction, it is not enough to simply stop the player from gambling. As such, self-exclusion and pre-commitment may not be entirely effective in curbing the gambling spending of some individuals. In these cases, counselling and behavioural therapy may be more effective, as they get to the root of the issue and deal with the underlying problem that is causing the addictive gambling behaviour.
This is certainly an important breakthrough in problem gambling research. We hope to see further studies on the topic, and are eager to see how these findings will influence problem gambling treatment methods.
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