Psychedelic-assisted therapy for people with gambling disorder?

Pedro Romero, Andrea Czakó, Wim van den Brink, Zsolt Demetrovics

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Gambling disorder is a severe mental health and behavioural problem with harmful consequences, including financial, relationship and mental health problems. The present paper initiates discussion on the use of psychedelics combined with psychotherapeutic support as a potential treatment option for people living with a gambling disorder. Recent studies have shown promising results using psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) to treat anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and various substance use disorders. Considering the similarities in the underlying psychosocial and neurobiological mechanisms of gambling disorder and other addictive disorders, the authors suggest that psychedelic-assisted therapy could be effective in treating gambling disorder. The paper also underscores the need for further research into the viability and effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted therapy for gambling disorder.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6-11
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of behavioral addictions
Volume13
Issue number1
Early online date2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2024

Keywords

  • behavioural addictions
  • gambling
  • gambling disorder
  • psychedelic-assisted therapy
  • psychedelics

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