The temporal sequencing of problem gambling and comorbid disorders

Two qualitative studies were undertaken to identify the prevalent comorbid mental disorders in treatment seeking problem gamblers and to also identify the temporal sequencing of the disorders. A forum with problem gambling counsellors and interviews with 24 mental health experts were undertaken. There was general agreement that the most commonly occurring disorders were depression, anxiety disorders, substance disorders (nicotine dependence, alcohol and other drug abuse/dependence) and personality disorders. While some participants gave definite opinions as to the temporal sequencing of disorders, the overall consensus was that it was largely dependent upon the individual. These results concur with other findings in the literature and also the Blaszczynski and Nower (2002) pathways model of problem gambling.