Introduction to Gambling & Co-occurring Disorders

This training will provide participants with an overview of behavioral health concerns that commonly co-occur with Gambling Disorder. After a brief introduction to gambling and Gambling Disorder, participants will learn about the Syndrome Model of Addiction, which conceptualizes similarities between behavioral and substance addictions. Then, we will discuss pathways between problem gambling and other behavioral health concerns, including the Pathways Model of problem gambling, and review the research on common comorbidities and their relationship with problem gambling. Participants will leave with an understanding of how gambling can contribute to various behavioral health concerns and vice versa. This training is interactive. We expect participants to come to the training prepared to engage in creative discussion, ideally with cameras on and microphones functioning. You must stay the full length of the training to receive CE credit.

Number of CE(s): 1.5

Instructional Level: Introductory. This training includes breakout rooms and interactive elements that participants must engage in to receive full credit. This training counts toward the MA PGS Certificate Core Competency Coursework.

Learning Objectives: 

As a result of completing this training, you will be better prepared to…

1. Explain the Syndrome Model of Addiction.
2. Describe pathways between problem gambling and other behavioral health conditions, including the Pathways Model of problem gambling.
3. Identify the nature of a client’s comorbidities as they relate to problem gambling.

Agenda:

1. Overview of gambling and Gambling Disorder
2. Syndrome Model of Addiction
3. Pathways between problem gambling and other behavioral health conditions, including the Pathways Model of problem gambling
4. Common comorbidities and their relationship with problem gambling
5. Key takeaways and additional resources

Instructor Bios:

Instructor #1:Dr. Heather Gray is the Director of Academic Affairs at the Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance, and an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Gray leads the Division on Addiction’s efforts to develop and implement the Massachusetts Technical Assistance Center for Problem Gambling Treatment, or M-TAC. In addition, she and her colleagues conduct original research, including research regarding the link between problem gambling and self-harm. In this training, she will share some of the results of those studies.

Instructor #2: Elizabeth Bice, BA; Elizabeth is a Program Manager for Health Resources in Action and works on the Training and Education team for M-TAC. She has 4+ years of experience working in the gambling addiction field and has developed and facilitated online trainings on a variety of topics pertaining to Gambling Disorder.  She is particularly interested in sports betting and the covert ways gambling has been normalized in everyday life. Elizabeth also hosted a presentation on avoiding gambling harm in recovery at the 2024 Massachusetts Problem Gambling Conference: Equity in Action. She received her BA in Community Health from Tufts University.

Approval Statements:

• American Psychological Association (APA) – The Division on Addiction is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Division on Addiction maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This program offers 2.5 continuing education credits.
• NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals – The Division on Addiction is a NAADAC Approved Tier C Provider (provider number 84058). Application for this specific program has been submitted. Please contact us at [email protected] for the status of application.
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – Application for social work continuing education credits has been submitted. Please contact us at [email protected] for the status of social work CE accreditation.
• Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) – The Massachusetts Technical Assistance Center for Problem Gambling Treatment is authorized by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to sponsor, conduct or approve continuing education programs for alcohol and drug counselors/assistants (LADCs). This program offers 1.5 continuing education credits.

Funding Statement: The Division on Addiction and Health Resources in Action collaborate to produce M-TAC trainings, courses, and resources, which are funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of Problem Gambling Services. The instructors have no financial interests that might create a conflict of interest in the development or delivery of this training. Click here to access our full list of our funders and conflict of interest/grievance policies and procedures.