Review article

TREATMENT OF PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING - INTEGRATIVE SYSTEMIC MODEL

Ivica Mladenović ; Institute of Mental Health, Belgrade, Serbia
Goran Lažetić ; Institute of Mental Health, Belgrade, Serbia
Dušica Lešić-Toševski ; Institute of Mental Health, Belgrade, Serbia; University of Belgrade, School of Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia
Ivan Dimitrijević ; Clinic for Psychiatry, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia; University of Belgrade, School of Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract

Pathological gambling was classified under impulse control disorders within the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-
10) (WHO 1992), but the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th edition (DSM-V), (APA 2013), has recognized
pathological gambling as a first disorder within a new diagnostic category of behavioral addictions - Gambling disorder.
Pathological gambling is a disorder in progression, and we hope that our experience in the treatment of pathological gambling in
the Daily Hospital for Addictions at The Institute of Mental Health, through the original "Integrative – systemic model" would be of
use to colleagues, dealing with this pathology.
This model of treatment of pathological gambling is based on multi-systemic approach and it primarily represents an integration
of family and cognitive-behavioral therapy, with traces of psychodynamic, existential and pharmacotherapy. The model is based on
the book "Pathological gambling - with self-help manual" by Dr Mladenovic and Dr Lazetic, and has been designed in the form of a
program that lasts 10 weeks in the intensive phase, and then continues for two years in the form of “extended treatment” (“After
care”). The intensive phase is divided into three segments: educational, insight with initial changes and analysis of the achieved
changes with the definition of plans and areas that need to be addressed in the extended treatment. “Extended treatment” lasts for
two years in the form of group therapy, during which there is a second order change of the identified patient, but also of other family
members.
Pathological gambling has been treated in the form of systemic-family therapy for more than 10 years at the Institute of Mental
Health (IMH), in Belgrade. For second year in a row the treatment is carried out by the modern "Integrative-systemic model". If
abstinence from gambling witihin the period of one year after completion of the intensive phase of treatment is taken as the main
criterion of the effectiveness of our model, at this time it exceeds 90%. Given the relatively short period of application, it is necessary
to continue to monitor and evaluate the model after 5 years.

Keywords

pathological gambling – treatment - Integrative-systemic model

Hrčak ID:

162383

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/162383

Publication date:

9.3.2015.

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