Screening Standards Manual for Problem Gambling

Course overview

This course based on a publication by the National Council on Problem Gambling and is an open-access article. Prevalence estimates for lifetime gambling disorders within the United States range from 0.4percent to 4.2 percent for the general population (Lorains et al., 2011). Among those with substance use disorders, the prevalence estimates of lifetime gambling disorder are substantially higher and range from 7 percent to 40 percent (Himelhoch et al., 2015) Given the high prevalence of disordered gambling among those with substance use disorders, screening for gambling disorder in substance abuse treatment settings is strongly advisable. Additionally, the prevalence of gambling disorder has been found to be at least 2 to 4 times higher among individuals diagnosed with other mental health disorders than among the general population. Significantly, in one large national epidemiological study, it was found that while nearly 50 percent of individuals who met criteria for gambling disorder had received treatment for another mental health condition, 0 percent had received treatment for their gambling disorder This course is intended to assist clinicians with the screening of disordered gambling. Specifically, there are practice guidelines for licensed and or certified behavioral health professionals who provide counseling for adults at-risk, affected by, or suffering from health-related gambling problems. This course on gambling disorders is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors, who do clinical work. In addition, this course is appropriate for intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to enhance their clinical skills in the screening of gambling disorders. The course material includes a literature review of assessment instruments and research. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require continuing clinical education courses for license renewal. Authors: National Council on Problem Gambling Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding the screening of gambling disorders. Specifically, a professional will: Identify the rates of co-occurrence of gambling problems with substance use and mental health disorders. Identify the 3 factors that best identified individuals with gambling problems. Distinguish at least three evidence-based screens that can be used in behavioral health settings. Citation: National Council on Problem Gambling, (2023). Screening Standards Manual. Issued February 2023.