NHS 'should provide gambling treatment'
Problem gambling is associated with a number of health problems
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Monday, 15, Jan 2007 03:43
Gambling must be recognised as an addiction that requires treatment on the NHS, doctors have said.
The proposal is behind put forward by the British Medical Association (BMA) in its report into gambling addiction.
Released today, the report outlines a link between fruit machine addiction and behavioural problems such as truanting, stealing and aggressive behaviour.
As such the BMA is calling for a review of whether slot machine gambling should be prohibited to anyone under 18.
Its report also draws attention to research showing that gambling among young people is often associated with other addictive activities such as drug taking and alcohol abuse.
Gambling operators and service providers should pay at least £10 million each year towards the costs of research, prevention and intervention programmes, the doctors add.
"There needs to be treatment for problem gambling available on the NHS similar to drug and alcohol services," said Dr Vivienne Nathanson, head of science and ethics at the BMA.
"Problem gambling is associated with a number of health problems and the BMA is concerned that there are insufficient treatment facilities available."
Report co-author Professor Mark Griffiths of the International Gaming Research Unit at Nottingham Trent University added that further research should be undertaken as a "priority" into online gambling.
Responding to the report, a spokesperson for the Department of Health (DoH) said that there are specialised addictions services in place which have a "long history of helping people with gambling problems".
"Anybody with a gambling problem who seeks help from the NHS will be offered support and, if necessary, treatment to help them overcome their addiction," the DoH said.
"The DoH works closely with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and other organisations involved with gambling to ensure that efforts in this area are coordinated."