Why is it relevant to me?

Health and social welfare workers outside the Gambler’s Help services are often the first port of call for people seeking help with problem gambling.

As a health and social welfare professional, you can play a crucial role in:

• identifying clients with gambling problems
• offering advice and support
• referring clients to a specialist problem gambling service
• providing advice and support to the families and friends of problem gamblers

By understanding and recognising the symptoms, impacts and dynamics of problem gambling you will be better equipped to:

• effectively assess your client’s problem
• make appropriate treatment or referral interventions   

Further reading 

Problem gambling: what do general practitioners need to know and do about it? By Shane A Thomas, Leon Piterman and Alun C Jackson, published in the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA 2008; 189 (3): 135-136)