thomasmyers
New member
Healthcare professionals in England are now being urged to screen for gambling addiction in the same way they do for smoking and alcohol dependency. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued new guidelines, emphasizing that gambling-related harms can affect health, finances, and family well-being. A 2023 survey of 20,000 adults found that 2.5% had a gambling problem, with young men being the most vulnerable.
The recommendation encourages mental health workers and social services to ask about gambling, particularly when dealing with individuals suffering from anxiety, depression, addiction history, or even suicidal thoughts. NICE suggests these discussions should happen in a relaxed environment to reduce stigma, which makes sense — many people might not recognize gambling as an addiction or feel too embarrassed to talk about it.
Since 2019, NHS England has opened 15 gambling addiction clinics, aiming to treat 3,000 people annually with psychologists, psychiatrists, and family support. It’s a step in the right direction, but considering how widespread the issue is, is this enough? Should routine medical check-ups include gambling addiction screenings? It’s interesting to see how gambling is now being taken as seriously as other addictions — do you think this will make a difference?
The recommendation encourages mental health workers and social services to ask about gambling, particularly when dealing with individuals suffering from anxiety, depression, addiction history, or even suicidal thoughts. NICE suggests these discussions should happen in a relaxed environment to reduce stigma, which makes sense — many people might not recognize gambling as an addiction or feel too embarrassed to talk about it.
Since 2019, NHS England has opened 15 gambling addiction clinics, aiming to treat 3,000 people annually with psychologists, psychiatrists, and family support. It’s a step in the right direction, but considering how widespread the issue is, is this enough? Should routine medical check-ups include gambling addiction screenings? It’s interesting to see how gambling is now being taken as seriously as other addictions — do you think this will make a difference?