We then turn to treatment models that have been applied for helping pathological gamblers, what is known about treatment effectiveness, whether treatment is warranted, and issues related to treatment availability, utilization, funding, and treatment providers in the United States. We then discuss what is known about the characteristics of those who seek treatment for pathological gambling. We begin with a discussion of the definition of treatment and challenges in treating such disorders as pathological gambling. Given the lack of national attention to the treatment of pathological gambling, it is difficult to estimate the scope of intervention services available in the United States. Moreover, treatment approaches have not been subjected to rigorous and detailed empirical research (Blaszczynski and Silove, 1995). Most published investigations are case studies or studies with small samples of clients whose circumstances may not be generalizable to larger populations (Knapp and Lech, 1987 Murray, 1993). Substantial progress has not been made in understanding the treatment of this disorder or the characteristics of those seeking help for it, nor is there research basis for matching clients to treatments. The treatments and interventions for pathological gambling that have been developed and reported in the literature are quite similar to methods of treating other disorders or addictions.
