You can’t smell it on their breath, or see it in their eyes, but 1 in 10 primary care patients may have a gambling problem. Two simple questions can help reveal this hidden addiction. Ask your adult patients:
- Have you ever lied about how much you gamble?
- Have you ever felt the need to bet more and more money?
Problem gambling could present as headaches, stomachaches, anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbances. Catch the underlying problem and utilize local resources. A referral to gambling treatment can make all the difference. Go to the RESOURCES/TOOLS/FACTS section of this site for screening tools.
Place Your Bets: Assessing for Problem Gambling Pays Off
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How Problem Gambling Affects Health
