Researchers use therapy to combat rise in gambling

In response to recent studies showing that gambling is becoming a problem among college students, two UW scientists are developing a program to help break the trend.

Between 1975 and 1999, the lifetime prevalence of gambling among adults has increased from 65 to 85 percent, according to the UW psychiatry and behavioral studies department's newsletter.

According to the newsletter, prevalence rates for problem gambling in college students are about double those of the general population.

Mary Larimer, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and colleague Clayton Neighbors, assistant professor in the department, are at the forefront of research to solve this problem.

Larimer's focus is in the etiology (the study of causes), prevention and treatment of addictive behaviors.

Larimer and Neighbors have developed two successful recovery options: individual and group therapy sessions.

Group therapy sessions include four to six meetings with a group of people with similar problems. Individual therapy is just one session with extensive personal feedback.

"It depends on the amount they are willing to commit," Neighbors said.

Comments from a doctor are an important part of the therapy.

"Personalized feedback talks about what is positive, what they like, what is negative and what risks are included," Neighbors said.

Results show that gambling frequency and gambling-related problems can be significantly reduced after one session of personalized feedback, according to the newsletter.

Recognizing a problem can be difficult because many students overestimate the amount of gambling that is normal, Neighbors said.

However, Larimer listed several signs that indicate problematic gambling.

"[When] gambling is taking away from other things...when you have to gamble more often or bet more than you used to in order to get the same feeling, when you begin to spend more money than you have, or when you begin to hide your gambling from those close to you, [those are signs that a gambler may have problem,]" Larimer said.

Students can find help for gambling problems in many places.

The UW Psychological Services and Training Center is one place to get help on campus. Doctors and graduate students who are trained in how to approach gambling problems staff the Center, Larimer said.

The National Council on Problem Gambling's hotline is a 24-hour confidential referral line, available at 1-800-522-4700 or online at

[HTML_REMOVED]http://www.ncpgambling.org[HTML_REMOVED].

Contributing writer Celia Hunko: development@thedaily.washington.edu