La thérapie cognitivo-comportementale du jeu pathologique dans un cadre hospitalier

Pathological gambling has to be seen as an extremely important issue, not only with regard to resulting costs, but also the number of people concerned. This article presents the characteristic features of pathological gambling. The therapy is based on a detailed behaviour analysis proposing an obsessive-compulsive model of pathological gambling. Regarding the group of excessive gamblers, the following aspects are elaborated: the cognitive reorganisation of misguided perceptions concerning gambling, the establishment of self-control strategies, as well as coping strategies relating to the alienation from gambling-associated stimuli. The last stage of the treatment focuses on the stabilisation and transfer of the newly acquired skills.