Screening for Mental Health, Inc.
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This quick and confidential screening tool helps you understand whether your gambling habits may be a cause for concern. Designed for anyone worried about their gambling behaviour, it takes just 5–10 minutes to complete. The assessment is based on the NODS-GD (NORC Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Problems) and is aligned with the DSM-5 criteria for gambling disorder.
What is Problem Gambling?
Problem gambling (also known as gambling disorder) occurs when gambling leads to significant problems in your life but continues despite negative consequences. It’s a recognised mental health condition that affects the brain’s reward system, similar to substance addictions.
Disclaimer:
Gambling disorder is a persistent and problematic pattern of gambling that causes significant distress or impairment in daily life.
Common Signs:
Gambling with increasing amounts of money, feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut down, repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop, or being preoccupied with gambling. Other signs include gambling when distressed, chasing losses, lying about gambling, jeopardising relationships or opportunities, and relying on others for money due to gambling debts.
Types of Gambling:
Casino games, sports betting, online gambling, poker, lottery or scratch cards, race betting, and bingo.
Risk Factors:
Easy access to gambling, mental health issues (depression, anxiety), substance use, family history of addiction, impulsivity, and a highly competitive personality
Impact of Problem Gambling:
Leads to financial problems, relationship breakdowns, work difficulties, mental health issues (including suicide risk), legal troubles, and stress-related physical health problems.
When completing this screening, think about your gambling behaviour over the past 12 months. Answer each question honestly and include all forms of gambling such as online betting, casinos, lottery, sports betting, or gaming machines. Be truthful; the goal is to help you understand if gambling may be causing problems in your life.
Make sure to answer all questions for accurate results.
Confidentiality: Your responses are completely anonymous. This screening is designed to help you reflect on your gambling behaviour and identify whether support might be helpful.
Important: This assessment isn’t about how much you gamble, but whether gambling is creating negative impacts in your life.
Thinking about the past 12 months:
Please answer “Yes” or “No” to each question below. Be honest, this will help you understand whether gambling may be having a negative impact on your life.
Count the number of “Yes” answers (0-11 possible):
Score interpretation:
According to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, 4 or more symptoms indicate a gambling disorder that requires professional treatment.
What this means: Your responses indicate severe problem gambling that’s significantly affecting multiple areas of your life—finances, relationships, work, and mental health. Professional help is strongly recommended and necessary.
Next steps – Act now:
Urgent protective actions:
Important:
What this means: You have a moderate gambling problem that meets DSM-5 criteria for gambling disorder. Without intervention, this will likely worsen. Professional support will significantly help.
Next steps:
Financial steps:
What this means: You’re experiencing mild problem gambling that meets criteria for gambling disorder. Early intervention now can prevent escalation to more severe problems requiring intensive treatment.
Next steps:
Self-help strategies:
What this means: You’re showing early warning signs of problem gambling. Taking preventive action now can prevent the development of a gambling disorder.
Prevention steps:
What this means: You’re not currently showing signs of problem gambling. Continue to stay aware of risk factors and gambling patterns.
Stay safe with gambling:
National Problem Gambling Helpline:
National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG):
Gamblers Anonymous:
State-funded treatment programs:
Your primary care doctor:
Private treatment options:
Evidence-based talking therapies:
Self-exclusion programs:
Financial blocking tools:
Medication:
Insurance coverage: Most health insurance plans cover gambling disorder treatment under mental health and substance use benefits. Medicaid covers gambling addiction treatment in many states. Check your insurance for mental health coverage and find in-network providers. Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) may offer free short-term counseling.
Key steps to sustained recovery: Complete abstinence from all forms of gambling is usually necessary for recovery. Address underlying issues driving gambling behavior (mental health conditions, stress, trauma, boredom). Build entirely new routines, activities, and interests to replace gambling time. Work on repairing damaged relationships and rebuilding trust with family and friends. Rebuild finances slowly and systematically with professional help. Attend support groups (Gamblers Anonymous) regularly—many attend for years. Use blocking tools and self-exclusion indefinitely—don’t rely solely on willpower.
Relapse prevention strategies: Identify your specific triggers (stress, certain emotions, locations, people, financial situations). Avoid high-risk situations, especially early in recovery. Develop and practice an emergency plan for when urges arise. Stay actively connected to support networks (GA, therapist, family). Manage money very carefully with safeguards in place. Replace gambling with genuinely healthy, fulfilling activities. Recognize warning signs of relapse early.
Common triggers to watch for: Financial stress or unexpected bills. Boredom, loneliness, or isolation. Celebrating good news or dealing with bad news. Alcohol or substance use (impairs judgment). Online advertising and promotional emails. Seeing others gamble or talking about gambling. Believing you can gamble “just once” or “just a little.”
Replace gambling with: Regular exercise, sports, or outdoor activities. Hobbies and creative pursuits (art, music, woodworking). Non-gambling social activities with friends and family. Volunteering in your community. Education, learning new skills, or career development. Quality time with family, especially children.
Co-occurring issues: Many people with gambling disorder also struggle with depression or anxiety disorders; substance use disorders (alcohol, drugs); ADHD or impulse control disorders; and other behavioral addictions. Both the gambling disorder and co-occurring conditions need integrated treatment for successful, sustained recovery. This is called dual diagnosis treatment.
How to help effectively: Express concern calmly and non-judgmentally—avoid anger or accusations. Encourage professional help and offer to help find resources or attend appointments. Offer to help set up financial controls and blocking software. Support their self-exclusion efforts from casinos, apps, and websites. Be patient and supportive—recovery takes time and relapses may occur. Celebrate small victories and progress.
What NOT to do: Don’t pay their gambling debts or bail them out financially—this enables continued gambling. Don’t give them access to money, credit cards, or financial accounts. Don’t preach, lecture, or try to shame them into stopping. Don’t make threats or ultimatums you won’t follow through on. Don’t enable their gambling by making excuses or covering for them. Don’t try to control every aspect of their life—focus on boundaries.
Gam-Anon: Support group specifically for families and friends of problem gamblers. 12-step program providing mutual support. Meetings available in-person and online nationwide. Anonymous and free. Find meetings at gam-anon.org.
Protect yourself: Set clear financial boundaries and stick to them. Don’t lie for them or cover up their gambling. Protect your own finances—separate accounts if necessary. Get support for yourself through Gam-Anon or therapy. Consider whether the relationship is safe (gambling can lead to domestic violence). You cannot control their gambling—focus on what you can control.
Immediate actions: Stop all gambling immediately—this is the absolute first priority. Make a complete list of all debts, including amounts and creditors. Prioritize essential bills (housing, utilities, food) over gambling debts. Contact creditors honestly and explain your situation—many will work with you. Seek free credit counseling immediately.
Free debt help resources:
Important financial advice: Don’t borrow more money to pay gambling debts—this creates a worse cycle. Don’t use payday loans, title loans, or other high-interest predatory lending. Gambling debts may not be legally collectible in some states—consult a lawyer. Illegal lending (loan sharks)—report to police immediately for your safety. Consider bankruptcy only as a last resort after consulting an attorney. Be honest with family about the full extent of debt.
Rebuilding finances: Financial recovery takes time but is absolutely possible with complete abstinence from gambling and professional support. Work with credit counselors to create a realistic repayment plan. Build an emergency fund slowly to prevent future crisis. Repair credit gradually over time. Learn healthy money management skills through counseling.
This screening is based on: NORC Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Problems: DSM-5 Gambling Disorder (NODS-GD)
References: Brazeau, M., & Hodgins, D.C. (2022). Psychometric evaluation of the NODS for DSM-5 gambling disorder. Addictive Behaviors, 130, 107310.
Wickwire, E.M., Burke, R.S., Brown, S.A., Parker, J.D., & May, R.K. (2008). Psychometric evaluation of the National Opinion Research Center DSM-IV Screen for Gambling Problems (NODS). American Journal on Addictions, 17(5), 392-395.Important disclaimer: This screening tool is not a diagnostic instrument. It provides guidance only and cannot replace professional evaluation by a qualified healthcare provider, psychologist, or certified gambling counselor. Gambling disorder is a serious condition with one of the highest suicide rates of any addiction. If you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), text HELLO to 741741, or call 911 immediately. Recovery is possible with proper treatment and support—thousands of people achieve lasting recovery from gambling disorder. This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. We do not store or collect personal health information, ensuring your privacy is protected in accordance with HIPAA regulations and applicable privacy laws.