Our research team is currently working on several projects related to gambling.

One key project, led by Elena Gomis-Vicent, John Turner, and Volker Thoma, is exploring how neuromodulation can help with gambling disorder (GD). Elena's recent PhD work focused on using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to treat this behavioural addiction, which is characterised by compulsive gambling.

The project is based on the idea that GD is linked to a dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), leading to high impulsivity and risk-taking. In the clinical phase of the research, we're combining tDCS with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for patients at the UK National Problem Gambling Clinic. Our main goal is to see if tDCS can improve cognitive functions, reduce impulsivity and risk-taking, and ultimately provide a more effective treatment for people with gambling disorder.

Recent Related Publications: 
 
Gomis-Vicent, E., Thoma, V., Turner, J.J.D., Hill, K.P. & Pascual-Leone A. (2019). Review: Non-invasive Brain Stimulation in Behavioural Addictions: Insights from Direct Comparisons with Substance Use Disorders. Manuscript submitted for publication. 

2. Gambling and Virtual Reality (Steve Sharman & John Turner) 

Steve Sharman was awarded a fellowship from the Society for the Study of Addiction (SSA) to use virtual reality (VR) to better understand gambling behaviour. 

This innovative research aims to create fully immersive virtual reality gambling environments (VRGE). These environments will allow researchers to study various forms of gambling, such as sports betting and slot machines, in a controlled yet realistic setting. 

Traditional laboratory studies often lack the real-world context of naturalistic studies, while naturalistic studies lack the experimental control needed to isolate specific variables. VR solves this problem by allowing researchers to maintain experimental control while creating a realistic gambling environment. 

The VRGE will enable a more comprehensive understanding of the cognitive distortions that occur in disordered gambling. Researchers will be able to isolate and examine a range of components (e.g., stake size, speed of play, win frequency) to see how each one influences a person's thoughts and behaviour.

3. Gambling and Homelessness (Steve Sharman & Amanda Roberts) 
 
Steve Sharman also researches the relationship between gambling and homelessness. His previous work has identified that disordered gambling has a higher prevalence in homeless samples than in the general population, that gambling can be a cause of homelessness, and that both awareness and utilisation of services for gambling problems are lower for gambling than for substance use. He has also developed a population-specific screening tool for gambling problems. Ongoing research includes qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews with homeless gamblers and statistical evaluation of the screening tool. 

Recent Related Publications: 

Sharman, S. (2019). Gambling and Homelessness: Prevalence and Pathways. Current Addiction Reports, in press.

Sharman S, &  D'Ardenne, J. (2018) Gambling and Homelessness: Developing an information sheet, screening tool and resource sheet. London: GambleAware . 

Sharman, S., Dreyer, J., Clark, L., & Bowden-Jones, H. (2016). Down and out in London: Addictive Behaviours in Homelessness. Journal of Behavioural Addictions, 5(2), 318-324.  

Sharman, S., Dreyer, J., Aitken, M., Clark, L., & Bowden-Jones, H. (2014). Rates of Problematic Gambling in a British Homeless Sample: A Preliminary Study. Journal of Gambling Studies, 31 (2), p.525-532. DOI: 10.1007/s10899-014-9444-7.  

4. Gambling Treatment Evaluation: (Steve Sharman, Amanda Roberts, Raegan Murphy & John Turner). 

Steve Sharman and John Turner, in collaboration with Dr. Amanda Roberts (now at Lincoln University), are working on a project with the Gordon Moody Association. Since 1971, this registered charity has provided residential treatment for compulsive gamblers. The team is conducting an extensive evaluation of the association's treatment programs, which are located in Dudley and Beckenham. Their research is the only study of its kind in the UK, making it a unique and valuable resource. The findings have already helped inform the Gordon Moody Association and the broader therapeutic community for gambling addiction.

Recent Related Publications:   

Sharman, S., Roberts, A., Bowden-Jones, H., & Strang, J. (2021). Gambling in the COVID-19 Lockdown in the UK: Depression, Stress, and Anxiety. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 1. 

Roberts, A., Rogers, J., Sharman, S., Melendez-Torres, G. J., & Cowlishaw, S. (2021). Gambling problems in primary care: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Addiction Research & Theory, 1-15. 

Both Sharman and Turner are co-signatories on a letter published in the BMJ (and covered in the media) in Jan 2020: Open letter from UK based academic scientists to the secretaries of state for digital, culture, media and sport and for health and social care regarding the need for independent funding for the prevention and treatment of gambling harms - July 16, 2020 

Sharman, S., Murphy, R., Turner, J., & Roberts, A. (2019). Trends and Patterns in UK Treatment Seeking Gamblers: 2000-2015. Addictive Behaviours, (89), pp. 51-56. 

Roberts, A., Murphy, R., Turner, J., & Sharman, S. (2020). Predictors of dropout in disordered gamblers in UK residential treatment. Journal of Gambling Studies, 36(1), 373-386.

Sharman, S., Murphy, R., Turner, J., & Roberts, A. (2019). Psychosocial correlates in treatment-seeking gamblers: Differences in early age onset gamblers vs later age onset gamblers. Addictive behaviours, 97, 20-26.