For clients in treatment primarily for substance use or mental health disorder, what is the recommended approach regarding gambling?

• A. Avoid the topic
• B. Integrate gambling into treatment
• C. Only certified gambling counselors can discuss gambling
• D. Gambling education is irrelevant

Answer: (B)

Gambling problems often occur alongside substance use and mental health disorders, so addressing gambling within the overall treatment plan is essential. Integrating gambling into treatment means screening for gambling issues regularly, bringing up the topic in sessions, and using proven strategies (like motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral coping skills) to reduce urges and harm, while coordinating with specialists if needed. This holistic approach helps prevent gambling from undermining recovery, lowers relapse risk, and ensures consistent care across all providers. Ignoring gambling or treating it as irrelevant or as someone else’s domain can miss important risk factors and weaken overall treatment outcomes.