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A Review of the Evidence for Considering Gambling Disorder (and Other Behavioral Addictions) as a Disorder Due to Addictive Behaviors in the ICD-11: a Focus on Case-Control Studies

  • ICD-11 (D King, S Higuchi and V Poznyak, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Addiction Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

To conduct a systematic review of recent case-control studies investigating the similarities and differences between gambling disorder (GD), substance use disorders (SUDs), and behavioral addictions (BAs).

Recent Findings

A total of 36 studies were identified for synthesis, with 56% comparing GD to SUDs, 36.11% comparing GD to other BAs, and 8.33% comparing to both. The results indicated that GD and SUDs/BAs do not present with overall differences in neurocognitive, clinical, and impulsivity dimensions. Rather, GD is associated with more nuanced differences in these dimensions. In contrast, GD was likely to present with significant differences in personality although with conflicting results in the directionality and dimensions of the personality trait compared to SUDs/BAs.

Summary

GD warrants classification as a disorder due to addictive behaviors. However, nuanced differences exist between GD and SUDs/BAs, which should be taken into account in the conceptualization of GD as an addiction.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Alana Guidry and Ximena Garcia for their assistance in the preparation of the manuscript.

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  1. Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, N.W. Calgary, AB, Canada

    Hyoun S. Kim & David C. Hodgins

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  1. Hyoun S. Kim
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Correspondence to Hyoun S. Kim.

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Kim, H.S., Hodgins, D.C. A Review of the Evidence for Considering Gambling Disorder (and Other Behavioral Addictions) as a Disorder Due to Addictive Behaviors in the ICD-11: a Focus on Case-Control Studies. Curr Addict Rep 6, 273–295 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-019-00256-0

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