Ask certain patients about gambling habits health workers told

Young people leaving home for the first time and patients with mental health problems should be asked about their gambling habits when they visit the GP, health leaders have said.

Young people leaving home for the first time and patients with mental health problems should be asked about their gambling habits when they visit the GP, health leaders have said.

People who have problems with gambling should be identified “as early as possible” and offered support, according to new guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice).

Health leaders described the “massive” and “devastating” impact problem gambling can have on people’s lives.

The 2023 Gambling Survey for Great Britain suggests that as many as one in 40 (2.5%) adults who responded to the poll may gamble in a problematic way.

An additional 12% of people who responded to the survey appear to gamble in a way that puts them at increased risk of gambling-related harms, Nice said.

The new Nice guidance says that people who seek help for mental health issues should be asked about problem gambling in the same way they are asked about drugs, smoking and alcohol.

Healthcare workers and those working in social services should ask people about gambling habits in a number of situations, including GP appointments or health checks, Nice said.

People at risk of gambling harms include those with depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), personality disorder or thoughts about self-harm or suicide, it said.

Those who have just left home for the first time should also be quizzed about their gambling, along with people who have acquired brain injuries which may make them more impulsive, according to the Nice document.

People who take drugs which affect impulse control – which can include certain Parkinson’s medications – and people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may also be at risk, Nice said.

And those who seek help for a possible addiction – including alcohol or drug dependence – are also at risk.

Those with a family history of gambling problems may also need targeted support, Nice added.

It said that people should be urged to assess the severity of their problem using a questionnaire on the NHS website.

Those with a score of eight or above should be referred to a specialist NHS gambling clinic while people who score lower on the severity scale may also be offered other support available, Nice said.

People experiencing gambling-related harms should be asked directly about suicidal thoughts and supported, it added.

They should also be counselled on practical ways to stop gambling, including blocking software, Nice said.

Staff have been reminded that some people may not seek help due to the stigma surrounding problem gambling and have been urged to ask direct questions to those at risk.

Published: 28/01/2025 by Radio NewsHub