Indicated Prevention With At-Risk Gamblers

Sessions lasted for 60-90 minutes and used Motivational Interviewing (MI) to facilitate discussion of feedback from participants' survey responses. Sessions began with open-ended questions about contextual factors associated with participants' gambling, then review of each feedback section: gambling pattern; perceived gambling norms; positive expectancies and negative consequences of gambling; beliefs about control over gambling; and situational self-efficacy to avoid gambling. Participants were encouraged to consider the feedback in light of their personal goals. All participants received a copy of their feedback, a list of skills for limiting gambling and a resource/referral list.

Participants completed either six weekly 1-hour sessions or attend four sessions containing the same content. Sessions covered functional analysis and gambling triggers; challenging cognitive distortions, with emphasis on illusions of control; coping with triggers; assertiveness; and relapse prevention. Participants received a pamphlet covering each week's topic (which was reviewed with the participant if a session was missed), as well as homework sheets and gambling diaries. CBI participants were asked to refrain from gambling for the duration of the group to provide an opportunity to practice and develop skills applicable to gambling and other behavior change situations.