Doctors should ask patients about gambling, draft guidance recommends

GPs should ask patients about gambling in the same way that they would routinely ask about smoking, alcohol consumption, or use of other substances, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended.This could be as part of a routine assessment such as a new patient check or when people present with depression, anxiety, or thoughts about self-harm or suicide, says draft NICE guidance out for consultation.1The guideline committee, which included clinicians and people with personal experience of problem gambling, agreed that it is important that health professionals proactively ask about gambling because of a lack of awareness that help is available and how to access it.The draft guidance says there is evidence that engagement in crime, alcohol and drug (particularly cocaine) addictions, mental health problems, violence or domestic abuse, family history of gambling, and homelessness may indicate an increased likelihood of harmful gambling.There was also some evidence…
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