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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT00685048

Brief Therapies for Problem Gambling Substance Abusers

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Gambling Behavior Chemically-Induced Disorders Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders Mental Disorders Risk-Taking Substance-Related Disorders

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Connecticut Health Center

Farmington, Connecticut, 06030, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

10 minutes of psycho-education

Behavioral

Patients review with study therapist a brochure about types of gambling people engage in and relationships between gambling, drug use, moods, and legal problems.

10 minutes of brief advice

Behavioral

Patients will review with study therapist a brochure and advice about problem gambling. It will also contain methods for reducing gambling.

four 50-minute individual therapy sessions of MET & CBT

Behavioral

MET & CBT

Primary outcomes

  1. dollars and days gambled per month

    Time frame: baseline and each follow-up

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

UConn Health

Other

Collaborators

  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2007
Primary completion
2014
Study completion
2014
First posted
May 28, 2008
Registry last updated
Apr 9, 2019

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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