title: Problem gambling.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Problem gambling is an increasingly common problem in Australia. General practitioners (GPs) have an important role in ensuring that problem gambling is detected and treated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We review the clinical issues associated with the detection and treatment of problem gambling.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At any one time 1% of the adult Australian population satisfy the clinical criteria for problem gambling; a further 4% are at a significant risk. Problem gambling frequently presents with other serious mental health conditions. There are several guidelines from the National Health and Medical Research Council and Australian Medical Association that recommend GP involvement in screening for problem gambling. Simple one-item tools are available for that purpose. GP screening and referral for problem gambling addresses the currently very low rates of treatment. Effective and durable psychological treatments are available for the treatment of problem gambling including cognitive behaviour therapy and motivational interviewing.
authors.affiliation: PhD MAPS, Vice Chancellor's Professorial Fellow; Executive Director and Associate President (International Academic Development), Office of the Vice Chancellor; Professor of Primary Health Care Research; Director of the Problem Gambling Research and Treatment Centre; Honorary Professor, Peking University; Monash University, Clayton, Victoria.
authors.forename: Shane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005715:Gambling / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D058006:General Practice; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D010819:Physician's Role