Lesson 1Motivation and readiness to change: stages of change, decisional balance, ambivalence explorationThis part looks at checking motivation and readiness to change, using stages of change, weighing pros and cons, and digging into mixed feelings to shape feedback, boost involvement, and plan the right level and timing of help.
Applying stages of change to gambling behaviorUsing decisional balance to map pros and consExploring ambivalence with motivational skillsAssessing confidence, importance, and readinessAligning interventions with change stageLesson 2Assessment of cognitive distortions and beliefs: illusion of control, gambler’s fallacy, superstitions, entitlement beliefsThis part zeroes in on spotting warped thinking and beliefs linked to gambling, like illusion of control, gambler’s fallacy, superstitions, and ideas of entitlement, and connects them to risky choices, sticking with losses, and chances of slipping back.
Screening for common gambling thinking errorsAssessing illusion of control and skill beliefsIdentifying gambler’s fallacy and near-miss biasExploring superstitions and magical thinkingEvaluating entitlement and rescue fantasiesLesson 3Risk assessment: suicidality, impulsivity, comorbid substance use, family violence, financial crisisThis part lays out structured checks for risks in folks with gambling disorder, covering thoughts of suicide, self-harm, rash actions, other substance issues, family violence, and money troubles, plus safety plans and where to send for help.
Screening for suicidality and self-harm riskAssessing impulsivity and disinhibition factorsEvaluating substance use and intoxication riskIdentifying family violence and safeguarding needsAssessing financial crisis and urgent supportsLesson 4Cultural and family context: marital dynamics, parenting stressors, financial roles, religious or community beliefs about gamblingThis part dives into cultural, family, and community backgrounds that shape gambling habits, like marriage issues, parenting pressures, money roles, stigma, and beliefs from religion or community, to make assessments that fit the culture.
Mapping family structure and financial rolesAssessing marital conflict and trust erosionExploring parenting stress and caregiving strainUnderstanding cultural and religious views on gamblingAddressing stigma and community expectationsLesson 5Assessment of comorbidity and differential diagnosis: mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, impulse-control disordersThis part covers checking for other mental health issues and telling them apart, including mood swings, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar, personality issues, and impulse problems, and sorting main from side effects of gambling.
Screening for mood and anxiety disordersAssessing ADHD and executive dysfunctionIdentifying bipolar spectrum presentationsEvaluating personality and impulse-control issuesDistinguishing primary from secondary symptomsLesson 6Comprehensive clinical interview: gambling history, onset, frequency, triggers, financial and legal consequencesThis part explains how to do a full clinical chat focused on gambling, covering when it started, how it went, how often, losses, what sets it off, chasing bets, and harms to money, law, work, and relationships for diagnosis and planning.
Structuring the initial diagnostic interviewExploring onset, course, and escalation of gamblingAssessing frequency, duration, and preferred activitiesEvaluating financial, legal, and occupational harmsAssessing relationship and caregiving consequencesLesson 7Functional assessment of gambling episodes: antecedents, behaviors, consequences, reinforcement patternsThis part handles functional checks of gambling sessions, mapping what leads up, actions, results, to spot reward patterns, high-risk spots, and changeable factors for personal treatment plans.
Identifying internal and external antecedentsMapping gambling behaviors step by stepDocumenting short- and long-term consequencesAnalyzing positive and negative reinforcement cyclesUsing functional data to design interventionsLesson 8Collateral information and records: partner interview, financial statements, app/online betting logsThis part shows how to collect and make sense of extra info from partners, family, bank papers, and online betting records to confirm patterns, measure harm, and spot hiding or tricks affecting the case plan.
Planning and obtaining informed consent for collateralPartner and family interviews about gambling impactReviewing bank, credit, and debt documentationAnalyzing betting apps, online logs, and statementsReconciling self-report with objective collateral dataLesson 9Standardized screening tools and measures: SOGS, PGSI, DSM-5 criteria checklist, NODS, PHQ-9, GAD-7, AUDIT-CThis part goes over main standard screening and assessment tools for gambling and common side issues, like SOGS, PGSI, DSM-5 lists, NODS, PHQ-9, GAD-7, AUDIT-C, with tips on scoring and using in practice.
Selecting appropriate gambling screening toolsAdministering SOGS, PGSI, and NODSUsing DSM-5 criteria checklists in practiceScreening mood and anxiety with PHQ-9 and GAD-7Assessing alcohol risk with AUDIT-CLesson 10Sleep, trauma, and stress assessment: insomnia, trauma history, occupational stressors and shift work effectsThis part explains checking sleep, past traumas, and stress in those with gambling disorder, like sleeplessness, trauma background, work pressures, shift work, and how they mix with urges, slips, and treatment results.
Screening for insomnia and sleep disruptionExploring trauma history and PTSD symptomsAssessing occupational stress and job strainEvaluating shift work and circadian disruptionLinking stress, sleep, and gambling relapse
