NCRG On The Road At The Massachusetts Gaming Commission Meeting In Boston

The NCRG on the Road blog series includes posts from NCRG staff members as they travel to continue the organization’s mission of funding the highest-quality research on gambling disorders and increasing public education opportunities. This post is from Nathan Smith, program officer for the NCRG, about his recent trip to Lynn, Mass.

On June 25, the entire NCRG staff was able to attend the fourth public educational forum on problem gambling hosted by theMassachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC). The MGC is in charge of regulating and licensing the new casinos in Massachusetts and convened several experts to speak about research on gambling disorders and provide recommendations on how to address this issue. I was pleased that the work of the NCRG was on display throughout the course of the meeting, including testimony from Christine Reilly, senior research director for the NCRG, and presentations from two NCRG board members and two NCRG-funded researchers.

Christine’s presentation to the MGC outlined the work of the NCRG and discussed some of the important lessons that our organization has learned from 16 years of funding high-quality research. Among these are the importance of having peer-review committees made up of quality independent scientists and creating a system through which the expertise of the scientists drives the research agenda and guides funding decisions. She also stated that the NCRG is willing to help the MGC in any way, from serving as a model in how to fund research to providing science-based resources for the community to use.

Other speakers added an important perspective to how they believe the MGC should approach pathological gambling in Massachusetts, including:

Marlene Warner, executive director of the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling (MCCG), explained the many resources that the organization has in place for problem and pathological gamblers in Massachusetts. The MCCG operates the state’s gambling hotline (1-800-426-1234) and educates the state’s 13 counseling centers with staff trained to treat gambling disorders. Warner also emphasized the devastating effects that a gambling disorder can have on the individual’s family and friends – a group that is sometimes not addressed.

Debi LaPlante,Ph.D.,director of research and academic affairs at the Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, gave a broad view of the state of the research on gambling disorders. She explained certain key facts that are very relevant to communities similar to Massachusetts, including the research showing that populations adapt to expanded gambling opportunities. That is, when a new community gains access to gambling, there is an increase in the number of gambling problems that community experiences, followed by a steady decline as the community adapts to having a gambling opportunity in its area. Dr. LaPlante illustrated this point with data from her own research on this topic.

Kevin Mullally, general counsel and director of government affairs of Gaming Laboratories International and former executive director of the Missouri Gaming Commission, presented during the afternoon session. Mr. Mullally, who also is an NCRG board member, discussed his time designing and implementing the first voluntary exclusion program in the United States and explained several of the best practices of voluntary exclusion programs that are currently in place. Mr. Mullally also gave more evidence for the adaptation of communities to gambling opportunities. Specifically after having over 14,000 people sign up for voluntary exclusion in the first few years of the program, only 3,000 more people have been added to the program since 2006.

Mark Vander Linden, the executive officer of the Office of Problem Gambling Treatment and Prevention at the Iowa Department of Public Health and new NCRG board member, focused his talk on the importance of peer-reviewed research on gambling disorders. He encouraged the commissioners to provide adequate funding for research and to continue the funding for research over the course of time (several presenters discussed the lack of long-term, repeated studies about how gambling effects populations).

Sarah Nelson, assistant director of research at the Division on Addiction and assistant professor of psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, used her presentation to discuss some of the general principles of taking a public health approach to gambling disorders. She also provided the MGC with specific examples of public health interventions that have found mixed results. For example, airbags in cars have been shown to save lives very effectively unless the passenger in the front seat is very small, in which case airbag deployment can be extremely dangerous. Dr. Nelson’s example shows the importance of studying the effects of an intervention before implementation for the general public.

Commissioners also heard testimony from Dr. Rachel Volberg, president of Gemini Research Ltd., and two individuals who are recovering from pathological gambling. There is information about the all of the speakers and topics discussed at this forum, including a complete video, available on theMGC’s website. You can also search the Twitter hashtag #MassForum for highlights from the NCRG’s live-tweeting session.

Stay tuned for the next NCRG on the Road blog series as Amy Martin travels to Milwaukee, Wisc., for the National Council on Compulsive Gambling annual conference today! If you’re attending, make sure to go to the “Resources at your Fingertips” session on July 14 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in Executive Ballroom A/B.

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The Impact Of Health Care Reform On Addiction

After the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) last week, many experts have weighed in on the practical implications of this legislation regarding the prevention and treatment of addictive disorders. From federal entities such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to national mental health organizations such as theAmerican Psychological Association, the statements issued clearly examine the overall impact of the ACA on mental health treatment. How does this historic ruling relate the field of addictions? The experts suggest the answer lies in three applications: integration of services, enhancing prevention initiatives and a new model of recovery services.

According to Dr. A. Thomas McLellan, pioneering addictions researcher, both health care reform and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA)[1]will foster the integration of addiction as a health problem into the larger health care system.’Until now, there has been no provision for benefits, training, teaching or development – or even recognition that care for substance use disorders is part of general health care,” said Dr. McLellan (Addiction Treatment Forum, 2010). Dr. McLellan, CEO of the Treatment Research Institute and former deputy director for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, will cover some of these implications during his keynote address at the 13thannualNCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction.

Second, the ACA will increase support for prevention and early intervention initiatives, such as encouraging primary care providers to frequently administer screening and brief interventions for addictive disorders. This could ultimately result in more referrals for addiction treatment programs. Because of the ACA, an estimated 32 million Americans who are uninsured will now have access to such services. Various provisions of the law will require benefit packages to include treatment for mental health and substance use disorder services, prescription drugs, rehabilitative and prevention and wellness services (SAMHSA, 2010a).

A third result of the ACA will be the promotion of recovery-oriented systems of care (ROSC), a model that provides “a coordinated network of community-based services and supports that is person-centered and builds on the strengths and resiliencies of individuals, families, and communities to achieve abstinence and improved health, wellness and quality of life for those with or at risk” of developing a disorder (SAMHSA, 2010b). Through the legislation, Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment block grants will be awarded by SAMHSA to fund implementation of ROSC throughout the U.S.

Currently, many public health officials are trying to understand where prevention and treatment of gambling problems fit inside the ROSC structure. The 13thannual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction will address this issue with a session on how the Iowa Department of Public Health successfully integrated the treatment of gambling disorders as they implemented the ROSC model throughout the state. The NCRG Conference also will feature speakers such as Drs. Alexandre Laudet and H. Westley Clark who have been vital to the development and promotion of this new model of recovery. For more information and to download the NCRG Conference brochure, visit www.ncrg.org/conference.

Note: The NCRG is a nonpartisan organization and does not lobby for or against any types of legislation. The mission of the NCRG is to help individuals and families affected by gambling disorders by supporting the finest peer-reviewed research into pathological and youth gambling; encouraging the application of new research findings to improve prevention, diagnostic, intervention and treatment strategies; and advancing public education about gambling disorders and responsible gaming.

References

Addiction Treatment Forum. (2010).How Health Reform Will Affect OTPs — An Interview With A. Thomas McLellan.Retrieved fromhttp://www.atforum.com/newsletters/2010fall.php

SAMHSA. (2010a).HealthReform: Overview of the Affordable Care Act.Retrieved fromhttp://www.samhsa.gov/samhsanewsletter/Volume_18_Number_3/AffordableHealthCareAct.aspx

SAMHSA. (2010b).Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) Resource Guide. Washington, DC: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

[1]In 2008, the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 was signed into law. This legislation requires group health insurance plans (those with more than 50 insured employees) that offer coverage for mental illness and substance use disorders to provide those benefits in no more restrictive way than all other medical and surgical procedures covered by the plan.

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Upcoming NCRG Webinar To Focus On The Genetic And Environmental Factors Of Youth Gambling

Registration is still open for the second session of the 2012 NCRG Webinar Series, taking place June 20, 2012, from 2 – 3 p.m. EST. The NCRG Webinar Series is a free, year-round educational program designed to help individuals better understand and address critical issues related to gambling disorders and responsible gaming – without having to leave their own home or office. Dr. Serena King, an assistant professor at Hamline University, will discuss her latest findings from an NCRG-funded study that examined the roles of genetics, environment and psychiatric disorders in the development of gambling disorders during the transition from youth to young adulthood.

To sign up for this free session, visit theNCRG’s upcoming webinar pageand click the registration link.

Participants can earn up to one hour of continuing education credit from ouraccrediting organizations: NAADAC, the National Board for Certified Counselors and the California Board for Behavioral Sciences. The NCRG is also approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

Register todayfor the free webinar, and pass along the registration information to interested counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists and colleagues. Have a question for Dr. King regarding the genetic factors and environmental influences that relate to gambling disorders among youth? Leave your questions in the comment section below, and the NCRG blog team will report her answers! Also, keep watching for more information on upcoming sessions in the 2012 NCRG Webinar Series.

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NCRG On The Road At The Midwest Conference On Problem Gambling And Substance Abuse

The “NCRG on the Road” blog series includes posts from NCRG staff members as they travel to continue the organization’s mission of funding the highest-quality research on gambling disorders and increasing public education opportunities. This post is from Amy Martin, the NCRG’s communications and outreach manager, about her recent trip to the Midwest Conference on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse in Kansas City, Mo.

The NCRG’s staff and representatives have been collecting frequent flyer miles as we’ve traveled across the country, presenting at conferences and meeting with public health officials, gaming industry representatives, clinicians and business leaders. In previous posts, I talked about ourtrip to Denver, Colo., to tape themulti-media news releasefor CollegeGambling.org, as well as our trip to Miami, Fla., for the sixthAnnual Education Summit. I packed my bags again for the opportunity to present at the Midwest Conference on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse from June 6 – 8. Dr. Serena King, an associate professor at Hamline University, also joined me to present her latest research findings, thanks to an Early Stage Investigator Grant from the NCRG.

The ninth annual Midwest Conference brought together more than 200 clinicians, public health officials, regulators and addiction recovery professionals from Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Illinois and Iowa. This annual conference offers participants an opportunity to interact with a diverse community committed to making a difference and to learn from nationally recognized experts in the field. Additionally, it is an opportunity to network with national and international educators and researchers to discover resources that enhance quality services for individuals with problem gambling and substance abuse behaviors.

Themed “Utilizing Evidence-based Practices,” the event featured sessions on prevention efforts, assessments and treatment of gambling disorders and substance use disorders. The meeting also included special trainings on suicide prevention in conjunction with the Missouri Suicide Prevention Project.

I was delighted to learn that the conference’s kickoff keynote speaker was Rear Admiral Peter Delany, Ph.D., director of the Office of Applied Studies at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Trained as a social worker, Rear Admiral Delany gave an overview of SAMHSA’s national initiatives toward recovery-oriented systems of care for addiction. Overall, he emphasized the need to have more peer-reviewed research on gambling disorders, especially prevention and treatment. He also encouraged attendees to be involved in SAMHSA’s Recovery Month this coming September, and we hope to integrate that program into the 13thannual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction.

It was my pleasure to lead a breakout session on various free and low-cost resources that are available for mental health treatment providers to learn more about gambling disorders and lead public education efforts about this issue. We covered new avenues to obtain continuing education credits, such as theNCRG’s free webinaron June 20 and the scholarships that are available to attend the NCRG Conference. We also discussed various ways to learn more about upcoming trainings, including the Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center’s weekly email and other organizations’ event calendars, including the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling and the National Council on Problem Gambling. It was a great conversation about what resources are needed for clinicians to better educate their clients, and what ways that they can access existing tools.

On June 7, Dr. King led the keynote session about her NCRG-funded research that analyzed the genetic and environmental factors that impact gambling disorders among youth. Her study examined the Minnesota Twin Family Study, a survey of 1,320 sets of twins who were measured at ages 18 and 25. Dr. King explained that this particular twin study allowed her to estimate the difference in problematic gambling behavior by measuring two variables. First, she studied the differences between fraternal and identical twins to understand the genetic factors that played a role in behavior variances. Second, she examined the environments in which those sets of twins grew up and compared those sets that grew up in a “shared” environment (e.g. similar backgrounds) or a “non-shared” environment (e.g. the twins were raised in separate circumstances). “It is important to use twin studies when trying to understand the genetics versus environment question simply because it lets you have a clearer distinction of where to draw lines and measure variables,” Dr. King said.

The results from this study showed two clear trends. Primarily, there was an increase in the influence of genetics in excessive gambling behavior from ages 18 to 25. When researchers measured this factor at those separate time points, they found that the influence of the twins’ genes grew over time. When measuring the environmental influences, Dr. King found that the shared environment variable was only influential at age 18 and not age 25, but that non-shared environment factors were influential at both ages. These results indicate that both genes and the surrounding environment impact how gambling disorders develop among young adults. More research is needed to further examine these relationships.

To learn more about Dr. King’s work, you can register today for the next NCRG Webinar on June 20. Dr. King will expand on this topic, and participants can earn continuing education credits for their attendance. Visit the NCRG’s Public Education and Outreach section ofwww.ncrg.orgfor more information.

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Gambling Disorders Explained: Understanding Prevalence Studies About Gambling Disorders

How many people have a gambling problem? That is the simple question posed by prevalence studies on gambling disorders. However, media reports and scientific articles reveal that this is not a simple issue. This Gambling Disorders 360˚ post is the first in a series called “Gambling Disorders Explained.” We are including these types of posts to help simplify and increase understanding of the different types of studies that exist about gambling disorders, as well as explain contributing factors to various research outcomes about this disorder.

First, if you’re confused by the many terms used to describe gambling addiction, you’re not alone. These labels include “problem gambling,” “pathological gambling,” “compulsive gambling,” “gambling addiction,” “at-risk gambling,” “low risk gambling” and “probable pathological gambling.” One reason for the variety of terms is the multiplicity of screening instruments such as, to name just a few, the SOGS and the NODS (Lesieur & Blume, 1987; Gerstein, 1999). All use their own unique terms. Many of these screens utilize a category, often called “problem gambling,” to identify people who are having some problems as a result of their gambling but do not meet diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling, the most severe form of the disorder.

It is important to note that the diagnosis for pathological gambling in the American Psychiatric Association’sDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders(DSM) does not provide a subclinical or problem gambling category (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). In other words, the person either meets five or more of the 10 criteria for a diagnosis of pathological gambling or does not. Consequently, neither the current DSM-IV diagnosis nor the proposed DSM-5’s designation for the new term “gambling disorder,” provide any guidance for the threshold for subclinical gambling. The proposed shift from “pathological gambling” to “gambling disorder” addresses the frequent complaint that “pathological gambling” is a pejorative term that only serves to reinforce a highly stigmatized disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2011).

Another source of confusion when it comes to determining how many people have a gambling problem is the fact that scientists and the media often lump together the prevalence rate for subclinical or problem gambling and pathological gambling when talking about the issue. This can be confusing because research has shown that these two numbers are distinct, and if they are combined, it misrepresents the facts. In fact, approximately less than one percent of the adult population is diagnosed with pathological gambling and 2.3 percent is shown to have a subclinical or problem gambling diagnosis (Kessler et al., 2008).

Combining the problem gambling and pathological gambling prevalence rates can also be misleading because there is a lack of consensus in the field about the meaning of “subclinical.” Many maintain that this group is at risk and that since pathological gambling is a “progressive” disorder as defined by the DSM, subclinical gambling problems will likely develop a full blown disorder. However, other investigators have observed a more dynamic phenomenon and concluded that many people move back to a healthy state from a subclinical status (Slutske at al., 2003; Shaffer et al. 2002).

It also is often unclear whether the media is reporting past-year or lifetime prevalence rates in its stories. Lifetime rates of prevalence are always higher because they include cases of gambling disorders that have since resolved. Studying lifetime rates is important if investigators are analyzing issues such as age of onset (e.g., Kessler et al., 2008). On the other hand, past-year rates are vital for answering the question, how many people have the disorder now? Past-year rates are vital for public health planners who need to deal with the here and now in their work.

Ultimately, it is important for researchers, media and those who are keenly interested in this topic to be precise in how they define and talk about gambling disorders and the rates of those who are affected with the psychological problem. That is why it’s important to examine the most recent peer reviewed studies. Resources such asTHE WAGERand Gambling Disorders 360 ° are a quick and easy way to stay informed.

Another source of confusion is the difference between prevalence and incidence studies. This topic will be covered in an upcoming blog post for this series.

Do you have questions or comments about the concepts discussed in this blog? Is there another aspect of research on gambling disorders that you would like to have explained in a Gambling Disorders 360˚ post? Please submit your suggestions in the comments section below.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (1994).DSM-IV: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(Fourth ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

American Psychiatric Association. (2011). DSM-V: The Future of Psychiatric Diagnosis. Retrieved August 23, 2011, from www.dsm5.org

Gerstein, D., Murphy, S., Toce, M., Hoffmann, J., Palmer, A., Johnson, R., et al. (1999).Gambling Impact and Behavior Study: Report to the National Gambling Impact Study Commission. Chicago: National Opinion Research Center.

Kessler, R. C., Hwang, I., LaBrie, R., Petukhova, M., Sampson, N. A., Winters, K. C., et al. (2008). DSM-IV pathological gambling in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication.Psychological Medicine, 38(9), 1351-1360.

Lesieur, H. R., & Blume, S. B. (1987). The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS): A new instrument for the identification of pathological gamblers.American Journal of Psychiatry, 144(9), 1184-1188.

Shaffer, H. J., & Hall, M. N. (2002). The natural history of gambling and drinking problems among casino employees.Journal of Social Psychology, 142(4), 405-424.

Slutske, W. S., Jackson, K. M., & Sher, K. J. (2003). The natural history of problem gambling from age 18 to 29.Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 112(2), 263-274.

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The NCRG’s Annual Education Summit Is Traveling To Miami To Meet With Business, Academic And Public Health Leaders

The NCRG is on the road again, and we’re heading to Miami, Fla., for the 2012 Annual Education Summit! Each year, the NCRG travels to a new city to hold a series of events that gives the NCRG the opportunity to meet with clinicians, legislators, public health officials, business leaders, government officials, academics and gaming industry members. These meetings allow the NCRG to discuss the latest research on gambling disorders and responsible gaming and share the most up-to-date resources and tools that can help attendees in their community leadership positions.

The NCRG is pleased to announce that we will be visiting Miami, Fla., from April 30 to May 2. If you are located in South Florida, please feel free to register for any of our Summit events by contacting Amy Martin (amartin@ncrg.org, 202-552-2689). All of the events are free for participants, and clinicians can also receive continuing education credits by attending the treatment provider workshop on May 2.

The 2012 Annual Education Summit events include:

Mental Health Community Leaders Meeting
Monday, April 30, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. – University of Miami, Newman Alumni Center
The NCRG and the Florida Council on Community Mental Health will co-host a roundtable discussion of how mental health experts can use research findings in their daily practice and how collaborative efforts can effectively address gambling disorders in their community. Speakers will include Alan Feldman, chairman of the NCRG and senior vice president of public affairs for MGM Resorts International; Carlos Blanco, M.D., Ph.D., professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University and director of the Gambling Disorders Clinic at Columbia University Medical Center; Ken Winters, Ph.D., member of the NCRG’s Scientific Advisory Board and professor of psychiatry and director of the Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse and Research at the University of Minnesota; and Christine Reilly, senior research director for the NCRG.

Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Luncheon
Tuesday, May 1, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – 1601 Biscayne Bay Blvd., Ray Goode Rider Conference Room

In partnership with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the NCRG will co-host a luncheon presentation to discuss how the greater community can collaborate to address gambling disorders and responsible gaming across the state of Florida. Keynote speakers Mr. Feldman and Dr. Winters will discuss the latest advancements in the field of gambling research, resources offered by the NCRG and the importance of corporate social responsibility.

College Gambling Roundtable
Tuesday, May 1, 3:30 – 5 p.m. – University of Miami, Newman Alumni Center
Representatives from Miami-area colleges and universities will gather at the NCRG’s roundtable discussion to share resources and best practices on how to address gambling and gambling-related harms on college campuses. Dr. Winters and Ms. Reilly will provide an overview of the NCRG’s newest resource, CollegeGambling.org, and facilitate a discussion to find ways that the NCRG and participating colleges and universities can collaborate and strengthen education programs about college gambling.

Workshop for Treatment Providers
Wednesday, May 2, 9 a.m. – noon; Miami-Dade College, Wolfson Campus, Building 6, Room 6100
To provide the most up-to-date research on gambling disorders and effective methods to screen clients, the NCRG and the Florida Psychological Association will co-host a free workshop for Florida clinicians, counselors and social workers. Dr. Winters will provide an overview of gambling disorders in both youth and adult populations and will discuss the screening and assessment strategies tailored to each group. Dr. Blanco will also give a brief update on the prevalence of and latest trends in gambling disorders among the Hispanic community.

To register for these events, please contact Amy Martin at 202-552-2689 oramartin@ncrg.org. We will be updating all of the NCRG’s social media channels during the events, so stay up-to-date by visiting the NCRG’s blog –Gambling Disorders 360°– and connect with the NCRG onFacebookandTwitter(#AES2012.

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The NCRG’s Impact On The Field Of Research: 10,000 Citations And Counting

How does one measure the impact of research on a field of study and its implications on health care? The NCRG recently completed an analysis of its research grants to understand how the organization is helping to foster a better understanding of gambling disorders and responsible gaming. Publication in a peer-reviewed journal is one way to assess the quality of the research and measure impact on the field. Not only did the count of publications from NCRG-funded research surpass 200 articles, but an analysis using Google Scholar revealed that these publications have been cited more than 10,000 times in the scientific literature.

The following is a top 10 list of the most cited publications generated from NCRG-supported grants:

TitleDateJournalFirst AuthorCitationEstimating the prevalence of disordered gambling behavior in the United States and Canada: a research synthesis1999American Journal of Public HealthHoward J. Shaffer, Ph.D., C.A.S.930Functional imaging of neural responses to expectancy and experience of monetary gains and losses2001NeuronHans Breiter, M.D.872Developmental neurocircuitry of motivation in adolescence: a critical period of addiction vulnerability2003The American Journal of PsychiatryR. Andrew Chambers, M.D.591Beautiful faces have variable reward value: fMRI and behavioral evidence2001NeuronItzhak Aharon, Ph.D.496Reward deficiency syndrome: a biogenetic model for the diagnosis and treatment of impulsive, addictive, and compulsive behaviors2000Journal of Psychoactive DrugsKenneth Blum, Ph.D.411Cognitive and behavioral treatment of pathological gambling: a controlled study1997Journal of Consulting and Clinical PsychologyCaroline Sylvain, Ph.D.291Gambling and the health of the public: Adopting a public health perspective1999Journal of Gambling StudiesDavid Korn, M.D.265Double-blind naltrexone and placebo comparison study in the treatment of pathological gambling2001Biological PsychiatrySuck Won Kim, M.D.261Updating and refining prevalence estimates of disordered gambling behaviour in the United States and Canada2001Canadian Journal of Public HealthHoward J. Shaffer, Ph.D., C.A.S.224Gambling and related mental disorders: A public health analysis2002Annual Review of Public HealthHoward J. Shaffer, Ph.D., C.A.S.212

Another way to measure impact is to analyze the quality of journals in which NCRG-funded studies are published. Although peer-reviewed journals employ the same methods of independent review to ensure scientific quality, not all journals are equal in their impact. Impact Factor (IF) is calculated by counting the amount of citations a given journal has over a certain time period, and it is published on a yearly basis by Thomson Reuters.

The charts below show the 10 NCRG funded articles with the highest IF:

TitleDateJournalFirst AuthorImpact FactorPathological gambling2001The Journal of the American Medical AssociationMarc Potenza, M.D., Ph.D.17.569Decreased absolute amygdala volume in cocaine addicts2004NeuronNikos Makris, Ph.D.14.439Functional imaging of neural responses to expectancy and experience of monetary gains and losses2001NeuronHans Breiter, M.D.14.153Beautiful faces have variable reward value: fMRI and behavioral evidence2001NeuronItzhak Aharon, Ph.D.14.153Gambling urges in pathological gambling: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study2003Archives of General Psychiatry>Marc Potenza, M.D., Ph.D.10.519Doubts about double dissociations between short- and long-term memory2005Trends in Cognitive ScienceCharan Ranganath, Ph.D.9.155Medial orbitofrontal cortex gray matter is reduced in abstinent substance-dependent individuals2009Biological PsychiatryJody Tanabe, M.D.8.926Found in translation: understanding impulsivity and related constructs through integrative preclinical and clinical research2009Biological PsychiatryMarc Potenza, M.D., Ph.D.8.926Molecular heterosis as the explanation for the controversy about the effect of the DRD2 gene on dopamine D2 receptor density1999Molecular PsychiatryDavid Comings, M.D.7.942SNPs and polygenic disorders: a less gloomy view1999Molecular PsychiatryDavid Comings, M.D.7.942

The articles listed in the above charts tell a story that is about more than simply numbers. Many have had an impact on the foundation on which scientists approach gambling disorders. For example, before the Shaffer & Korn article (2001), few researchers conceptualized gambling as a public health issue. Now, it is commonplace in studies and at conference presentations to examine gambling from a public health perspective. In terms of treatment, the 1997 study of naltrexone by University of Minnesota researchers (Kim, Grant, Adson, & Shin, 2001) opened the door to numerous clinical trials of this drug by demonstrating its safety and effectiveness.

The second aspect of impact is what is known as the transition from science to practice or, as scientists would say, “from bench to bedside.” How do we translate research findings into therapeutic interventions for patients? Some researchers estimate that it takes 12 to 15 years for scientific research to trickle down to the grassroots level of health care. That is why the NCRG’s mission to educate and disseminate research findings is so vital.

Last year, more than 1,000 healthcare providers participated in the NCRG’s workshops, webinars and the annual conference. These educational programs were designed to connect clinicians with the latest research and provide them with tools in their practice. For example, Dr. Randy Stinchfield of the University of Minnesota led a workshop for alcohol and drug counselors on the various instruments used to assess pathological gambling as well as GAMTOMS, an NCRG-funded instrument for gauging treatment outcomes. A workshop on brief interventions by Dr. Matthew Martens of the University of Missouri – Columbia demonstrated that such interventions can be effective with all ages, especially for individuals otherwise resistant to getting help for their gambling problem.

The NCRG will continue to strive for major impact through its research grants program and educational offerings as we pursue the mission of increasing understanding of gambling disorders and finding effective treatment strategies.

For more information on the NCRG grants and educational programs, visitwww.ncrg.org.

References

Kim, S. W., Grant, J. E., Adson, D. E., & Shin, Y. C. (2001). Double-blind naltrexone and placebo comparison study in the treatment of pathological gambling.Biological Psychiatry,49(11), 914-21. doi:S0006322301010794 [pii]

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Take The Collegegambling.org Interactive Quiz And Test Your Knowledge Of College Basketball And College Gambling

Did your favorite college men’s and women’s basketball teams make it through the first few rounds of the NCAA tournament? It’s that time of year when people around the nation are cheering for their favorite college hoops teams and maybe placing bets on the games. Visit ourMarch Madness interactive quizonCollegeGambling.orgwhile you’re watching the games to learn more about gambling and gambling issues on college campuses.

The interactive quiz and new materials on CollegeGambling.org are only a few of the resources that the NCRG will highlight this month to address gambling and gambling-related harms on college campuses. VisitGambling Disorders 360˚over the next few weeks to find the latest research on college gambling and read blog posts from university leaders who are helping college students understand how to get help if they have a gambling problem, as well as help those students who are of legal age gamble responsibly.

Have a comment or question aboutCollegeGambling.org? Let us know in the comment section below.

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NCRG Releases New Video And Resources To Educate About College Gambling

What do college basketball and college gambling have in common? March is a good time to learn about both. As the NCAA basketball tournament approaches, college students and basketball fans across the country are filling out their brackets, and some may even place a wager on the games. During March Madness, the NCRG is launching a public awareness initiative to encourage college administrators, campus health professionals, students and parents to learn more about college gambling and gambling-related harms. The campaign also helps to educate students about how to make responsible decisions about gambling.

The NCRG createdwww.CollegeGambling.orgas a resource to help colleges and universities address this issue and to offer free resources for students who want to learn more about gambling or get help for a problem. It includes a toolkit for student peer educators, resident advisors and other student leaders to use when talking about gambling disorders with their friends or classmates.

Today, the NCRG distributed avideo packagethat highlights the resources available on CollegeGambling.org. The video features interviews with Karin Dittrick-Nathan, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor at the University of Denver and member of the NCRG’s Task Force on College Gambling Policies, and Christine Reilly, senior research director of the NCRG, about gambling on college campuses and how CollegeGambling.org can be used as a resource. You can view the multimedia news release video below, or visit theCollegeGambling.org’s media page. Please feel free to share the video with college students, parents or university officials so that they can learn more about this website.

The NCRG is also reaching out to university administrators and campus mental health professionals to give them the resources they need to address gambling disorders and responsible gaming on their campus. Student health professionals will receive CollegeGambling.org inflatable basketballs and more information about the free toolkits that are housed on the site. These resources include brochures about college gambling and responsible gambling, fact sheets and posters for student health centers. Additionally, the toolkits on CollegeGambling.org include suggestions for campus officials to integrate gambling education and awareness efforts into existing programs about alcohol, drugs and other risky behaviors.

In March, you’ll see blog posts about the latest research about gambling disorders among college students, interviews with researchers who are doing cutting-edge studies to develop interventions for pathological gambling and more. Stay tuned toGambling Disorders 360˚and the NCRG’sTwitterandFacebookfeeds for the latest information.

Take a moment to view ourvideo news releaseand visit CollegeGambling.org, as well as our March Madness interactive quiz. Do you have questions or comments about CollegeGambling.org or gambling disorders on college campuses? Please let us know in the comments below.

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NCRG On The Road: Taping The Collegegambling.org March Madness Video

The NCRG on the Road blog series includes posts from NCRG staff members as they travel to continue the organization’s mission of funding the highest-quality research on gambling disorders and increasing public education opportunities. This post is from Amy Martin, the NCRG’s communications and outreach manager, about her recent trip to Denver, Colo.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to fly to the Rocky Mountains to tape footage for the NCRG’s video news release for our campaign that will highlight CollegeGambling.org during the upcoming NCAA basketball tournament. Christine Reilly, senior research director for the NCRG, and Holly Wetzel, vice president of communications for the American Gaming Association, joined me on this trip. We were at the University of Denver for a few days to shoot the video and talk with members of the Task Force on College Gambling Policies, Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado (PGCC) and the Colorado Gaming Association.

The NCAA basketball tournament is a great opportunity to highlight the resources available on CollegeGambling.org. Did you know that 75 percent of students gambled in the past year, either legally or illegally? March is a time where students and basketball fans are filling out their brackets and maybe placing a wager on a game or two. For all of us at the NCRG, it seemed appropriate to talk more about the facts and stats that are available on CollegeGambling.org during the time leading up to the Final Four.

For this project, we were fortunate to interview Dr. Karin Dittrick-Nathan, clinical assistant professor at the University of Denver. Dr. Dittrick-Nathan was a member of the Task Force on College Gambling Policies, a group that was organized in 2009 by the NCRG and the Division on Addiction at Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School. She is also an active member of the University of Denver’s High-Risk Task Force, a committee that has made great strides to bring the issue of gambling and gambling-related harms to the attention of the university’s administration.

During our first day on campus, we scouted locations to film the interviews so that the next day of shooting would be easy to orchestrate. Then, our video team spent the entire second day shooting interviews. We wanted to cover a wide range of issues with the interviews, from what the latest research shows about the prevalence of gambling among college students to why college students often participate in risky behaviors. We asked Dr. Dittrick-Nathan more about the University of Denver’s initiatives to educate students about gambling and where to get help if students have a gambling problem. We also asked questions that helped both Christine and Dr. Dittrick-Nathan to talk more about the Task Force on College Gambling Policies and the science-based recommendations that led to creating CollegeGambling.org.

While we were in Colorado, we were also excited to meet with Amber Bunch, executive director of the PGCC, and Lois Rice, executive director of the Colorado Gaming Association. The PGCC updated us on a few of its newest initiatives, including their “21 is a Must” scholarship contest. Colorado high school students were invited to create a poster educating youth about the age requirement of gambling and the warning signs of problem gambling. We look forward to finding out who won the contest and how the PGCC will grow this program in the future. Our meeting with Amber and Lois also made me excited to come back to host a treatment provider workshop with the PCGG in the coming months!

It was a quick trip that was packed with great conversation and ideas on how to expand our efforts and partnerships to reach more students, parents, university administrators and clinicians. We’ll keep you posted on all of our activities surrounding this campaign to talk more about CollegeGambling.org during March Madness.

NCRG staffICRG NewscollegeColoradogamblinggambling disorderspartnershipsproblem gamblingprogramsUniversity of Denver

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