How long does it take to treat gambling addiction, and is it possible to cure it with just medication? Which Ukrainians are the most vulnerable to this problem? And who will be working at the new social and psychological support center for people struggling with gambling addiction?
We spoke with Tatyana Sinitskaya, head of the psychological department at the Center for Responsible Gaming, about these issues during the opening of the center’s new project, “Space of Life,” which aims to help those at risk of addiction, people already suffering from addiction, and their loved ones.
Read also: Powers of KRAIL and Taxes for Gambling: Expert Roundtable.
– Tatyana, how did you select the psychologists for the center’s team?
– First, they all have full psychological education. Second, they have experience working with addiction, including gambling. We focused on evidence-based methods, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy.
– Will the team be large?
– Currently, we have four psychologists. We’ll assess how the work progresses before deciding if we need to expand. These psychologists have a significant responsibility. They are pioneers, tasked with creating methodological support and evaluating the quality of care. We hope the initial team can navigate this challenging period. After that, we’ll evaluate how many people we can serve and whether we need additional specialists.
– Do you also have psychiatrists on the team?
– Right now, we have just one psychiatrist, Konstantin Aimedov. We are working on obtaining a medical license, which takes some time to ensure everything complies with the law. Afterward, we’ll evaluate if more doctors are necessary.
– Is it possible to treat gambling addiction with medication alone?
– Medication alone cannot cure addiction, but it can manage its pathological symptoms, such as high anxiety, depression, or intense urges to gamble that the person cannot control. When someone is in such a poor state, it’s difficult to work with them psychologically. So first, we stabilize them with medication, and then psychological work can begin.
– How do you decide between group or individual therapy for someone? Is group therapy more effective in the early stages of addiction?
– No, group and individual therapy target different aspects. Individual therapy addresses deep psychological issues, while group therapy helps individuals express emotions, give and receive support, and understand that they’re not alone. Group therapy is especially useful at the initial stages for building motivation to recover and later, to maintain progress. Relapses can happen, and it’s important to know this is normal and manageable. Therefore, a multi-level approach is necessary, and both group and individual therapy are effective when combined.
– How long does therapy usually last? For example, if someone hasn’t yet spent all their money or devoted all their time to gambling but already has a problem.
– In the standard we are developing, the average therapy duration is around nine months. Addiction doesn’t form in just a day or two; it builds over time, often layered with other psychological issues. It takes time to peel back these layers, like an onion, and for the person to adjust and learn how to live with the changes.
– Will the center’s services be free?
– Yes, both for the individuals struggling with gambling addiction and their families.
– There’s been a lot of talk about gambling addiction among military personnel lately…
– Yes, soldiers are the most vulnerable group. This is the opinion shared by me and my colleagues, both scientists and practicing psychologists. Soldiers are under constant stress with little opportunity to relieve it – they can’t go to the movies or have fun. Instead, they are in war situations, which takes a heavy toll on their psyche. With their phones always within reach, they can easily get distracted by games and the emotions these provide. Many of them may not yet have a full-blown addiction, but they are at high risk. Of course, we will work to extend our services to help them.
– How do you plan to work with soldiers who are still on the front lines?
– We are developing remote assistance options, including training sessions and online support groups that soldiers can join or listen to. These resources will help them better manage stress, recognize what’s going wrong, and begin taking steps to help themselves. This won’t solve existing addictions, but it will provide support to those at risk. If you found this publication helpful and interesting, we recommend subscribing to our breaking gambling news to receive notifications about the latest updates and stay informed about current events.
