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Objective: The current study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) for problem gambling and gambling disorder and whether it produced different outcomes than minimal or no treatment controls on three putative change mechanisms: 1) gambling cognitions, 2) coping, and 3) self-efficacy., Method: Studies were identified from five bibliographic databases (i.e., Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase, PsycINFO, and PubMed). Included studies were randomized controlled trials of CBT that included posttreatment data on putative mechanisms. Between-group Hedges's g effect sizes were calculated to examine outcomes of CBT relative to minimal or no treatment control on gambling cognitions, coping, and self-efficacy at posttreatment. Risk of bias was determined using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool., Results: Fifteen studies, representing 1,536 participants, were eligible for analysis. Participants in CBT had more favorable gambling cognitions (g = -0.41), coping behaviors (g = 0.27), and self-efficacy (g = 1.12) at posttreatment than minimal or no treatment control., Conclusions: Results of the current study provided preliminary support for the effectiveness of CBT on three putative mechanisms of change among individuals experiencing problem gambling and gambling disorder. Although the results were promising, there was significant heterogeneity in the magnitude of effect sizes for all three outcomes, and outcomes were not consistently assessed with psychometrically established assessment tools., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The legalization of recreational cannabis for adults is becoming more common across the United States of America, as well as other counties around the world. Previous research has documented shared risk factors between cannabis use and gambling. Experimental studies have shown cognitive effects of cannabis that might influence gambling behavior. The current study explored demographics, gambling behaviors, and mental health differences based on the degree to which individuals use cannabis while they gamble. Individuals (N = 805) who gambled at least weekly completed an online survey. Thirty percent reported gambling under the influence of cannabis. Of these individuals, 41% reported using cannabis 25% of the time that they gambled, 31% reported being under the influence 50% of the time when gambling, 16% were under the influence 75% of the time when gambling, and 13% reported always or almost always gambling under the influence of cannabis. Those who reported gambling while under the influence of cannabis were more likely to be younger, non-white and non-heterosexual. They also reported higher levels of psychological distress, were more likely to have had a diagnosis of ADHD and a history of treatment for gambling, substance use, or other kinds of mental health concerns. Individuals who used cannabis while gambling also reported gambling more frequently than those who did not. This study provides one of the first explorations into who uses cannabis while gambling. Future experimental studies are required to investigate the direct effects of cannabis on gambling behaviors., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Growing evidence for the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy for disordered gambling supports the need for a comprehensive set of gambling-related assessment measures that have been validated with treatment-seeking samples. The Gamblers' Beliefs Questionnaire (GBQ) is a self-report measure that was designed to identify gambling-related cognitive distortions (Steenbergh, Meyers, May, & Whelan, 2002). In this study, the GBQ demonstrated good internal consistency and adequate construct validity in a treatment-seeking sample of disordered gamblers. Additionally, scores on the measure significantly decreased across a brief cognitive-behavioral treatment, providing validity support for use of the GBQ with a clinical population., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)