Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen
A “yes” answer to any of the questions means the person is at risk for developing a gambling problem.
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1.During the past 12 months, have you become restless, irritable or anxious when trying to stop/cut down on gambling?
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2.During the past 12 months, have you tried to keep your family or friends from knowing how much you gambled?
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3.During the past 12 months, did you have such financial trouble as a result of your gambling that you had to get help with living expenses from family, friends or welfare?
To address the need for a quick, evidence-based screen for gambling disorders, researchers from the Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School analyzed the largest national survey including questions about gambling behaviors searching for the most popular responses by people with gambling problems.
Based on this data, the researchers developed the Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS), a three-question brief screening instrument that helps a person decide whether to seek a more formal evaluation or treatment of their gambling behavior. Clinicians can also use this with their clients to determine if a more comprehensive screen is necessary. More information about screening day at divisiononaddiction.org.
The Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS) is also available in magnet form! To request copies, contact Noelle Mancini ([email protected]) or 978-338-6610. Please feel free to use and share this screen to your colleagues!
Reference 1. Gebauer, L., LaBrie, R., & Shaffer, H. J. (2010). Optimizing DSM-IV-TR classification accuracy: a brief biosocial screen for detecting current gambling disorders among gamblers in the general household population. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne De Psychiatrie,(2), 82-90
