Motivational enhancement and self-help treatments for problem gambling

Two brief treatments for problem gambling were compared with a waiting-list control in a randomized trial Eighty-four percent of participants (N = 102 ) reported a significant reduction in gambling over a 12-month follow-up pe riod. Participants who received a motivational enhancement telephone interv ention and a self-help workbook in the mail, but not those who received the workbook only, had better outcomes than participants in a 1-month waiting- list control. Participants who received the motivational interview and work book showed better outcomes than those receiving the workbook only at 3- an d 6-month follow-ups. At the 12-month follow-up, the advantage of the motiv ational interview and workbook condition was found only for participants wi th less severe gambling problems. Overall, these results support the effect iveness of a brief telephone and mail-based treatment for problem gambling.