Each pathological gambler is estimated to adversely affect at least five others¹, usually family members, ('significant others') with often long-lasting effects. In many cases it will be the partner or other family member, rather than the gambler, seeking help for the effects of gambling.

Role of the General Practitioner and other community professionals in family and friend support

Once you have recognised the symptoms or the effects of problem gambling on a significant other and discussed it with your patient/client, there are two main options:

1. The primary and preferred option is to refer the person to a specialist helpline, or support or treatment provider. There is no formal referral process and support and treatment is free. Help is provided for both those affected by the problem gambler and for the problem gambler themselves.
2. You might feel that intervention by yourself is appropriate.

Referral organisations, specialist support and treatment providers

All support and treatment services are provided free of charge and are completely confidential. The Helpline services can also be anonymous. These providers include:

• Gambling Problem Helpline and Gam-Anon
• The Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand
• Salvation Army Oasis Centres

Intervention by the General Practitioner or community professional

If you and your patient/client decide that you can provide the primary source of support or treatment, it is still appropriate to again encourage your patient/client to make contact with a helpline or support provider.

Where there is reluctance to contact a helpline or support provider you can ask them for approval to make contact on their behalf. There is no single ‘best practice’ and in helping someone affected by another’s problem gambling, different levels of intervention are possible.

Additional needs of Maori problem gamblers

All participants in a small study of Maori gambling² commented that gambling had had an adverse impact on the lives of their families, as well as on their own, and that they were attempting to rebuild their lives and give their lives meaning.

SKYCITY family or friend support and intervention

SKYCITY Auckland carries out a range of host responsibility initiatives to support family and friends of problem gamblers.

Training in problem gambling family support and intervention

The Goodfellow Unit, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Auckland, provides training nationwide for General Practitioners, Practice Nurses, Mental Health and A&D; workers, and providers of specialist treatment for problem gambling, to intervene effectively in problem gambling.

References:

1. Sean Sullivan, “Pathological Gambling in New Zealand: the role of the GP”, New Ethicals Journal, August 2000 and Australian Productivity Commission Report.
2. Dyall, L. “Maori and Gambling”, in: Curtis, B. Editor, Gambling in New Zealand 2001.

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