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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03323606

Online Interventions for Gamblers With and Without Co-occurring Problem Drinking

Many problem gamblers are also problem drinkers,with lifetime prevalence in nationally representative samples ranging from 45% to 73%. Heavy drinking often occurs while problem gamblers are engaging in gambling activities, resulting in increased risky gambling behaviour. Further, co-occurring problem drinking negatively impacts on the treatment outcomes of problem gamblers. Thus, targeting problem drinking among problem gamblers may have the dual benefits of reducing both the problem drinking itself, and of acting as a mediator for reductions in problem gambling behaviour. The present study seeks to determine whether providing simultaneous access to help for gambling and drinking is of benefit for those with these co-occurring problems.

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Key information

Conditions

Gambling Alcohol Consumption Alcohol Drinking Behavior Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders Drinking Behavior Mental Disorders Risk-Taking

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2S1, Canada

About this study

Problem gambling and problem drinking frequently co-occur. Further, the treatment needs of people with co-occurring gambling and drinking problems may be different from those of problem gamblers who do not drink alcohol in a hazardous fashion. The current project will evaluate whether there is a benefit to providing access to a problem drinking Internet intervention (G+A intervention) in addition to an Internet intervention for problem gambling (G-only intervention) in participants with gambling problems who do or do not have co-occurring problem drinking.

People with gambling concerns will be recruited using targeted advertisements. Potential participants will be screened using an online survey to identify participants meeting criteria for problem gambling. As part of the baseline screening process, measures of alcohol consumption will be assessed. Eligible participants who agree to take part in the study will be randomized into one of two online interventions for gamblers - an intervention that only targets gambling issues (G-only) versus one that contains an intervention for drinking (G+A). It is predicted that for problem gamblers with co-occurring problem drinking, participants provided access to the G+A website will display significantly reduced gambling outcomes at three- and six-month follow-ups as compared to those provided access to the G-only website. However, for problem gamblers without co-occurring problem drinking, it is predicted that participants will display no significant difference between the G-only and G+A websites at three- and six-month follow-ups.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • 18 years of age or over
  • Score of 3 or greater on the Problem Gambling Severity Index of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (PGSI- CPGI)

Exclusion criteria

  • None

Treatment and study plan

Gambling Internet Intervention

Behavioral

The gambling Internet intervention consists of a new online version of self-change tools that have previously been translated successfully into an online form and shown to have a significant impact on gambling in three trials. A major focus of this intervention is to provide individuals with clear and concise behavioral and cognitive strategies for meeting the goal of reducing or quitting gambling.

Check Your Drinking

Behavioral

A brief online intervention designed to provide personalized normative feedback aimed at motivating reductions in drinking

Primary outcomes

  1. The NORC DSM-IV Screen for Gambling Problems (NODS) past 3 month version indicating DSM-IV gambling severity.

    Time frame: 3 and 6 months

    Change in gambling severity (NODS) from baseline

  2. Number of days gambled per month

    Time frame: 3 and 6 months

    Change in mean days per month gambling from baseline

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Other

Collaborators

  • University of Calgary
  • University of Manitoba

Registry information

Official study title

Online Interventions for Problem Gamblers With and Without Co-occurring Problem Drinking: Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2017
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2019
First posted
Oct 27, 2017
Registry last updated
Jun 25, 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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