Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Gambling Disorder (GD) frequently co-occur. It has been suggested that people with PTSD use gambling as a form of ‘escape’ from the negative memories of trauma. One population at a high risk for PTSD are military personnel. The researchers reviewed current research on the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to treat people with PTSD and/or GD in the military. The authors found 14 studies that met their review criteria. Only one study addressed GD, and no studies looked at both GD and PTSD. The findings of the studies suggest that ACT may be an appropriate and effective method for reducing both PTSD and GD symptoms. This review highlights the importance of conducting more studies on ACT as a treatment for veterans and active military personnel with PTSD and/or GD.
