When should I consider referring a patient with gambling disorder to specialist services?

Consider referring a patient with gambling disorder to specialist services when they have a greater severity of gambling-related harms or a greater severity of co-occurring needs, such as mental health conditions, suicidality, trauma, neurodiversity, learning disabilities, or substance dependence, and when assessment indicates the need for specialist intervention ¹.

Referral should also be considered if the severity of gambling varies over time, including recent onset or short periods of less intense gambling that still cause severe harms, even after abstinence ¹.

Additionally, if a patient presents with immediate or considerable risk to themselves or others, urgent referral to specialist mental health services or a crisis team is indicated ¹.