How to identify a patient’s gambling issues
In a general practice setting, issues relating to gambling may be masked, especially if a patient seeks support for other issues. People experiencing gambling harm may present with problems associated with financial hardship, relationship breakdown and domestic violence , mental health including stress and health issues related to stress, depression or addiction.
Screening patients for gambling issues may help you start the conversation on bigger issues.
Why routine screening is a smart thing to do
Gambling may be masked by other major concerns – like substance abuse – so it can be difficult to identify gambling harm until significant damage is done. We recommend that you routinely screen patients for gambling and gambling harm as part of a lifestyle assessment.
How you can screen for gambling issues and make a difference
You are in a position to identify patients who may be experiencing gambling harm, provide psychoeducation, support their efforts to change and connect them to gambling support services.
You can ask people about gambling :
- In lifestyle assessments
- When discussing stressors
- As part of a mental health assessment
- When the patient or client presents with problems associated with:
- Financial distress or pressure
- Poor self-care
- Intimate partner conflict
- Dopamine agonist medication (rare adverse effect).
Here are some of the screening tools available to you.
Ways to support clients
You can provide psychoeducation
Providing information and advice about topics such as the potential harm associated with gambling, and ways to reduce the risks, can be important when working with a person who is experiencing gambling harm.
Let clients know that:
- Gambling related concerns are common.
- Gambling can start to become a concern when a person spends more time and money than intended.
- Gambling can lead to issues relating to finances, mental health (e.g., anxiety and depression symptoms), relationships, physical health, and work.
- There are a variety of effective, confidential, and free support services available that can help people to reduce or stop gambling.
Ways to support clients
You can provide psychoeducation
Providing information and advice about topics such as the potential harm associated with gambling, and ways to reduce the risks, can be important when working with a person who is experiencing gambling harm.
Let clients know that:
- Gambling related concerns are common.
- Gambling can start to become a concern when a person spends more time and money than intended.
- Gambling can lead to issues relating to finances, mental health (e.g., anxiety and depression symptoms), relationships, physical health, and work.
- There are a variety of effective, confidential, and free support services available that can help people to reduce or stop gambling.
Ways to support clients
You can provide psychoeducation
Providing information and advice about topics such as the potential harm associated with gambling, and ways to reduce the risks, can be important when working with a person who is experiencing gambling harm.
Let clients know that:
- Gambling related concerns are common.
- Gambling can start to become a concern when a person spends more time and money than intended.
- Gambling can lead to issues relating to finances, mental health (e.g., anxiety and depression symptoms), relationships, physical health, and work.
- There are a variety of effective, confidential, and free support services available that can help people to reduce or stop gambling.
Ways to support clients
You can provide psychoeducation
Providing information and advice about topics such as the potential harm associated with gambling, and ways to reduce the risks, can be important when working with a person who is experiencing gambling harm.
Let clients know that:
- Gambling related concerns are common.
- Gambling can start to become a concern when a person spends more time and money than intended.
- Gambling can lead to issues relating to finances, mental health (e.g., anxiety and depression symptoms), relationships, physical health, and work.
- There are a variety of effective, confidential, and free support services available that can help people to reduce or stop gambling.
What and how to ask?
When raising the topic of gambling with a client, you should:
- anticipate reluctance
- avoid statements such as “Do you have a problem with gambling?”
- introduce gambling screening routinely
- use an opening statement such as “A lot of people like to gamble. What about you?”
- ask about recreational activities: “What do you do for fun?”
- ask permission when you raise the issue of money:
“Would it be OK if I asked you how much money you might spend on gambling?”
