DISORDERED GAMBLING IN RESIDENTIAL SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT CENTERS: AN UNMET NEED

This study examined prevalence and potential impact of disordered gambling in a sample of individuals (N = 684) undergoing residential treatment for substance use disorders at 13 facilities. Lifetime disordered gambling prevalence was 20.2%, as identified by South Oaks Gambling Screen. Within individuals who screened positive for disordered gambling, few had sought help for gambling (15.9%) and only 14.3% reported having gambling addressed in their current substance use disorder treatment. Meanwhile, 30.4% identified gambling as a concern in their recovery efforts. The presence of a gambling problem, either historical or current, potentially affects residential treatment outcomes and warrants clinical attention within these programs.