Gambling disorder self-help kit

Session one: Understanding gambling disorder

Content

This session is to help you briefly understand the definition of gambling disorder, as well as current problems resulted from your gambling disorder. Gambling disorder is characterized by a continuous loss of control over gambling, compulsive gambling behaviour, and a continuation of behaviour despite adverse consequences. Problem gamblers may show signs of withdrawal, tolerance, dependence on gambling and impairment in life. The following questions from Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS) assist you to decide whether seeking a more comprehensive consultation or treatment concerning your gambling behaviour might be helpful.

Please review your gambling behaviour in the past 12 months, and answer the following questions:

After you have reduced or stopped gambling, do you feel restress, irritable or anxious?
Have you ever lied to your family and friends about your amount of bets?
Have you ever sought help from family, friends or NGOs to ease your financial burden, which is caused by your gambling behaviour?

If you answer at least one “yes”, your concerned gambling behaviour is at risk for developing a gambling problem. We encourage you to prepare for a change by completing this session’s worksheet “Understanding the facts of gambling disorder”.

If you feel anxious in the process or hope to discuss with our counsellors, please contact us via EC Quick Dial 2827 4321, WhatsApp us 6770 5599, or Live Chat.

Worksheet

Question 1	(Y/N)
After you have reduced or stopped gambling, do you feel anxious or irritated?	Yes No
Behaviour
What feelings/ behaviours/ thoughts do you usually have after reducing or stopping gambling?

Question 2	(Y/N)
Have you ever lied to your family and friends about your amount of bets?	Yes No
Behaviour
How do you usually respond when your family and friends ask about your gambling behavior/ finance?

Question 3	(Y/N)
Have you ever sought help from family, friends or NGOs to ease your financial burden, which is caused by your gambling behaviour?	Yes No
Behaviour
Debts caused by gambling: HK$ in total Who have you ever sought financial assistance? How did you manage your financial difficulty?

Reflection

What motivates you to start using this self-help kit?
After experiencing this session, what is gambling disorder?
While working on the worksheet, what impressed you the most?