Affected individuals (AI) are those, such as the close family members of gamblers, who are impacted by problem gambling behavior. AIs in CalGETS outpatient treatment between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018 were asked a series of questions to screen for depression at each treatment contact.
During CalGETS treatment, the average PHQ-9 depression score for affected individuals improved from 9.5 (moderate depression) at intake to 5.8 (mild depression) at last treatment contact.
Sources – Outpatient Gamblers: CalGETS Fiscal Year 2017-18 dataset, prepared for the California Department of Public Health, Office of Problem Gambling by the University of California Los Angeles Gambling Studies Program. Of the 346 AI clients who had PHQ-9 scores at intake, 309 had scores at both intake and at last treatment session.
In California, problem gamblers can receive no-cost treatment through CalGETS. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.