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Gambling disorder, or gambling addiction, is currently classified as a psychiatric addiction diagnosis. In Sweden, approximately 2% of the population struggles with gambling addiction, and within certain smaller groups with mental health issues, the proportion is significantly higher. Gambling addiction leads to severe consequences for those affected and their loved ones. It often results in serious financial difficulties, relationship problems, deteriorating mental health, and even an increased risk of suicide attempts. At the same time, people with gambling problems often seek help late. Therefore, it is crucial to offer treatments that are both effective and easily accessible. There is currently no "gold standard" treatment for problem gambling or gambling addiction, but Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has emerged in research as a promising candidate.

New digital media and technologies are also developing, which young people and young adults, in particular, quickly adapt to. Access to digital media has increased explosively over the past decade. At the same time, increased use of digital media can lead to negative health consequences, such as more sedentary behavior, poorer academic and work performance, reduced social interactions, and increased mental health issues. From a research perspective, we are only at the beginning of understanding how this affects humans both in the short and long term. A common public debate is whether it is possible to become addicted to different types of media. Traditional addiction diagnoses, such as alcohol addiction, are based on substance dependencies. In recent years, however, behavioral addictions have begun to be recognized as possible psychiatric diagnoses. In 2018, gambling was classified as an addiction disorder, and in 2019, the WHO decided that problematic gaming should also be recognized as an addiction diagnosis. Since gaming addiction is a newly defined condition in healthcare, there is still very little research on this type of addiction and the best ways to treat it. To effectively support and treat this new patient group, new treatment methods need to be developed and evaluated.