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.