A pioneering new investigation from the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) has uncovered a worrisome reality: a mere 0.25% of adults grappling with gambling dependence actually pursue assistance. This collaborative research, co-authored by Dr. Simone Rodda, an Associate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at AUT, represents the inaugural endeavor to measure the worldwide frequency of help-seeking for compulsive gambling.

The results depict a grim scenario: although an estimated 5.8% of adults globally encounter gambling-associated difficulties, a scant 0.2% have pursued expert aid. This discrepancy is even more striking among those with acute gambling difficulties, where a mere one in five individuals seek help, contrasted with a meager one in twenty-five among those exhibiting moderate-risk gambling actions.

Dr. Rodda stresses the critical requirement for enhanced support frameworks, particularly in New Zealand (Aotearoa in the Māori language). “Our discoveries plainly demonstrate that the overwhelming majority of individuals undergoing gambling difficulties never access treatment services,” she asserts. “The help-seeking proportions in New Zealand reflect the global estimations, underscoring the substantial effort required to guarantee attainable, prompt, and pertinent support for those impacted by problem gambling.”

To tackle this obstacle, Dr. Rodda and her fellow researchers, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and service organizations such as the Problem Gambling Foundation and the Salvation Army, have been crafting online assessment instruments and user-friendly self-assistance materials.

“The crucial element now,” Dr. Rodda appends, “is guaranteeing these resources connect with those who require them most.”

Addressing gambling-related challenges requires a public health perspective. This involves employing established methods that have demonstrably mitigated gambling-associated harm.

If you’re facing difficulties, a positive initial action is confiding in a trusted individual, such as a companion or medical professional. Within New Zealand, there are also resources offering complimentary, specialized assistance.”