The Disordered Gambling Integration (DiGIn) initiative makes gambling problems and behaviors a relevant topic of conversation when treatment is already being provided for substance use and mental health disorders. Providers can address gambling and problem gambling through enhanced screening, assessment, awareness, intervention, recovery and health promotion strategies.

Mission:
To increase the capacity of substance use disorder and mental health treatment programs to address gambling and problem gambling through enhanced screening, assessment, awareness, intervention, recovery and health promotion strategies. To make gambling problems and behaviors a relevant topic of conversation within the broader substance use and mental health disorder treatment communities.


DiGIn Participating Programs and Contact Information:

  • Apex Community Care, Inc.
    • Main Contact: Michelle Luukko MLuukko@apexcc.org
  • Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery, Inc.
    • Main Contact: Brian Robbins brobbins@ccar.us
  • McCall Behavioral Health Network
    • Main Contact: Jamie Calvano Jamie.Calvano@mccallbhn.org
  • Natchaug Hospital
    • Main Contact: Eric Viara Eric.Viara@hhchealth.org
  • Recovery Network of Programs, Inc.
    • Main Contact: Brian Morris Brian.Morris@rnpinc.org
    • Alexandria Ranciato Alexandria.ranciato@rnpinc.org
  • The Connection, Inc.
    • Main Contact: Aleksandra Slaski alslaski@theconnectioninc.org
  • Department of Veterans Affairs
    • Main Contact: Lesbia Nieves Lesbia.Nieves@ct.gov

Health Problems and Medical Service Utilization:

  • At risk gamblers more likely to receive emergency room care and to be diagnosed with: Hypertension, Obesity, Severe Injury, Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder, and Nicotine Dependence. (National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, Morasco et al., 2006)
  • Substance use disorders increase the likelihood of a gambling disorder by more than 4-fold. Over 20% of persons with sub stance use disorders have gambling problems. (J.Clin Psychiatry 2005;66:564-74. J Subst Abuse Treat 2014; 46:98-105.)
  • Compared to non-gamblers, older adult problem gamblers are nearly 7 times more likely to be smokers, 6 times more likely to have an alcohol problem, and 3.5 times more likely to have a drug use problem. (Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2007; 15:301-13)
  • Persons with psychiatric conditions suffer from gambling problems at extraordinarily high rates, and up to one-third of persons with gambling disorder attempt suicide (Psychol Med.2008: 8:1351-60, J Clin Psychiatry 2005; 66:564-74., Am J Addict 2006; 15:303-10)