Gambling harms

The first guidelines for supporting people experiencing harm from gambling have been published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. The guidance, Gambling-related harms: identification, assessment and management, was published with support from the British Psychological Society. The guideline covers identifying, assessing and treating gambling-related harms for people aged 18 and over who are experiencing gambling that harms, and people of any age affected by someone close to them who is experiencing gambling that harms.

Andre Geel, who also contributed to the guidelines, and Dr Venetia Leonidaki, both from the BPS Faculty of Addictions, said the guidance embedded the principle of evidence-based practice and offered the public access to proven and effective treatment.

'Our hope is the current guidelines will be superseded in years to come with more, varied and effective multidisciplinary treatments as we advance our knowledge of gambling disorder.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.'  

See the full report.

See our interview with Dr Venetia Leonidaki and Dr Rebecca Lockwood.