A Stitch in Time Saves Nine: screening problem gamblers and their families with the EIGHT and COGS screens to raise awa

1. A Stitch in Time Saves Nine: screening problem gamblers and their families with the EIGHT and COGS screens to raise awareness of harm Sean Sullivan PhD Abacus Counselling Training & Supervision Ltd www.acts.co.nz

2. Why do people seek help? People appear to seek help for addictions when They hit ‘rock bottom’ and do not wish to continue to sustain the negative consequences of their behaviour Circumstances provide insight before rock bottom reached e.g. birth of a child, a relevant shock Are pressured into help by family or circumstances e.g. “Get help or else” See a possible benefit e.g. sentencing mitigation

3. How does problem gambling fit? Help-seeking may be less likely than other addictions because Rock bottom may never be reached because of a win being always just within reach Gambling becoming socially accepted, money a powerful reward, conditioning process resilient, so early insights of growing harm are few Less obvious symptoms so less early pressure from others to seek help Little mitigation hope due to little understanding of problem gambling as an addiction

4. Few access specialist help for problem gambling Approximately 1.2% of NZ’s adult population may have severe (Level 3) gambling problems (n=40,000) A similar number may have moderate (Level 2) gambling problems (Level 3 + Level 2 =1.9%) Approximately 4000 problem gamblers in NZ accessed help in 2005 (5%?) with few Level 2