Evidence-based prevention of gambling dual disorder through clinical neuroscience and precision psychiatry

Gambling is a common activity that becomes problematic in some vulnerable individuals, with gambling disorder (GD) now recognised as a bona fide mental/brain disorder. Several factors are associated with vulnerability to developing GD, including other mental disorders and pathological personality traits like high impulsivity. This clinical condition, referred to as Dual Gambling Disorder (GDD), better captures the broader psychopathological spectrum of GD.

This narrative review addresses recent advances in neuroscience and psychiatry that can help design more effective prevention strategies for GD. After establishing the current state of the art regarding GD/GDD from a biopsychosocial perspective, we assess the scientific evidence supporting approaches to GDD prevention.

Following an overview of GD/GDD, we examine how precision psychiatry can not only shape therapeutic interventions but also, evidence-based prevention strategies for GD, and how these strategies align with advances in clinical neuroscience and precision psychiatry. Prevention is analyzed across multiple levels: primordial, primary, secondary, and tertiary. Finally, we outline key elements to be considered when designing scientifically grounded prevention strategies for specific target populations.

The development of preventive strategies for GD, particularly when arising alongside other mental disorders, must be grounded in scientific evidence from neuroscience and precision psychiatry.