GPs can play a crucial role in screening for problem gambling
Problem gambling is a significant mental health problem in Australia. Estimates of the prevalence of serious gambling problems in Australia range from 1% to 2% of the general adult population, with higher rates in specific groups.1 An estimated 2.5%–5% of the Australian adult population display at-risk gambling behaviour (according to standard diagnostic criteria).1 The prevalence of problem gambling exceeds that of stroke and coronary heart disease, and is comparable with the estimated prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Australia.2
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- 13. Ingle PJ, Marotta J, McMillan G, Wisdom JP. Significant others and gambling treatment outcomes. J Gambl Stud 2008; 5 Mar [Epub ahead of print].
- 14. Westphal J, Jackson AC, Thomas SA, Blaszczynski A. Pharmacological approaches to intervention in problem gambling: a brief review. J Soc Work Pract Addict 2008; 8 (2) [Epub ahead of print].
The Victorian Government Department of Justice funds the Problem Gambling Research and Treatment Centre, which is co-directed by Shane Thomas and Alun Jackson. The Department had no involvement in study design, data collection, analysis and interpretation, and writing or publication of this editorial.