First NICE Gambling Harms Guidelines support use of Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Today (28 January) the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published new guidance which outlines the psychological support needed for people impacted by gambling harms.  

The new guidance titled, 'Guidelines on Gambling Related Harms' was published with support from the British Psychological Society's Faculty of Addictions. It acknowledges gambling as a developing and serious addiction and heralds a new era in gambling addiction support, outlining the specific interventions needed for effective treatment.   

Since the first NHS National Problem Gambling Clinic was established, it's taken 14 years for gambling to be viewed as a behavioural addiction that warrants a national co-ordinated treatment approach.    

The NICE guidelines assert gambling addiction as a public health concern and their publication coincides with clinics that have been rolled out nationally as part of the established NHS programme. As well as outlining actionable, direct interventions, the guidelines aim to reduce stigma and improve access to treatment.  

Recommendations include:  

• Psychological interventions, including group and individual cognitive behavioural therapy, should be offered to help reduce gambling severity and frequency.  
• Screening for gambling-related harm should be integrated into routine assessments, including mental health evaluations, substance use inquiries and criminal justice system contacts.  
• Treatment should include support for the family and friends of the person affected by gambling addiction to help them engage with the recovery process.  
• Peer support should be integrated as a key factor, providing individuals with a platform to share experiences and strategies for recovery.  
• Gambling treatment should continue to include specialist clinics for severe cases and complex needs, and community-based services for lower-severity cases and family members.  
• Tailored approaches should be adopted for women, ethnic minorities and those unfamiliar with NHS systems.  

Andre Geel, who also contributed to the guidelines, and Dr Venetia Leonidaki, both from the British Psychological Society's Faculty of Addictions said: 

"This guidance embeds the principle of evidence-based practice in service provision and offers the public access to proven and effective treatment. Currently, this is in the form of group cognitive behavioural therapy with useful additions from medication, social and peer support.    

"Our hope is the current guidelines will be superseded in years to come with more, varied and effective multidisciplinary treatments as we advance our knowledge of gambling disorder. For now, at least, we have clear and reassuring guidance as to how to begin to treat this very disabling condition".