Exposure therapy is a promising treatment for gambling disorder, complementing traditional cognitive behavioral therapy by focusing on managing urges and cravings. It targets automatic responses to gambling-related triggers, such as locations, sounds, and emotions, through controlled exposure in a therapeutic setting. This approach helps reduce cravings and encourages adaptive responses, leading to decreased gambling behavior and altered gambling-related beliefs over time.
Research indicates that exposure therapy effectively reduces the severity and frequency of gambling, with benefits that often increase with time. It involves structured sessions where clients learn coping strategies, not just by facing triggers but by understanding and managing their responses. When combined with relapse prevention strategies, it offers a practical path to recovery.
Overall, exposure therapy provides a behaviorally-focused tool for overcoming gambling disorder, either alongside cognitive behavioral therapy or as a standalone treatment.
Reference: Brezing, C., Poole, J. C., Coman, E., & Potenza, M. N. (2022). Exposure Therapy for Gambling Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports, 9(4), 133-145.
