Even after the initial six sessions, 77% of people continued to make improvements with their addiction – and 56% showed a significant improvement in their general well-being – following the completion of treatment.
Anna Hargrave, Chief Commissioning Officer at Gamble Aware, said of the results: “We know the National Gambling Treatment Service makes a real difference to service users, and we've already seen how its user-led approach can a have a positive impact on the lives of people experiencing gambling harms across Britain.
"However, it is encouraging to see new findings highlighting how fast improvement can happen. These novel insights into the potential optimum range of appointments, and the importance of supporting users to not miss sessions and completing treatment, will help make the service even more effective. This could mean more people are helped, and more quickly."
Furthermore, the report also showed that 81% of people completed the 12-week treatment programme – while attending 14 appointments made the biggest difference for a problem gambler’s well-being.
It was also estimated that one in 10 people in Britain is at risk of problem gambling, defined as the point at which gambling becomes harmful and has ‘disastrous consequences’ on people’s lives.
The report was composed of data collected over a three-year period, with Ben Hackman – one of the authors of the report – adding: “These findings add to the growing body of research highlighting the efficacy of the National Gambling Treatment Service.
“The assessment and treatment of problem gambling is a relatively new field, with depressingly expanding demand, and it is important for us to continuously challenge our own assumptions about what works.”
