In 2016, Dr. Nancy Petry and her colleagues discovered that even a brief (10-15 minute) intervention for problem gambling integrated into substance use disorder treatment can be effective in reducing problem gambling. This downloadable 1-page handout was the foundation of the brief advice intervention. Therapists can elect to review it with their clients as part of ongoing treatment.
Are you interested in using motivational interviewing principles to encourage treatment attendance? This letter can be personalized for individual clients who’ve scheduled their first session to discuss gambling-related problems. Dr. Rory Pfund and his colleagues have found, in a randomized controlled trial, that it increases the likelihood that clients will attend the first session. We thank Dr. Pfund for sharing this resource.
Provides specific questions providers can ask to clarify key aspects of the presenting clinical problem from the point of view of the individual and other members of the individual’s social network (i.e., family, friends, or others involved in the current problem). This includes the problem’s meaning, potential sources of help, and expectations for services.
Brief screens can help people decide whether to seek formal evaluation of their gambling behavior. The3-item BBGS is based on the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria for gambling disorder. This screening tool can be utilized by clinicians to identify potential individuals with gambling disorder.