Gambling Disorders: Special Considerations for Service Members

Gambling Disorder: Special Consideration for Service Members

Within the past 2 years, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) made a clear and strong recommendation that all branches of the military screen, assess and provide treatment for Gambling Disorder.  Furthermore, the most current Defense Department Authorization Act has mandated that all services screen for Gambling Disorder.  However, there has yet been a systemwide approach to integrating GD into existing addiction and behavioral health services within the Department of Defense or Veterans Administration.  This training will address the special needs and risk factors among active duty service members and veterans around problem gambling. Strategies for screening for gambling disorder and integrating problem gambling with co-occurring issues of post traumatic stress disorder, depression, substance abuse and suicidality will be presented.

Presenter: Loreen Rugle, PhD, ICGC-II/BACC

Dr. Rugle brings 30 + years of experience in the field of problem and responsible gambling including treatment, prevention, research and responsible gambling to her current positions.   She has managed problem gambling programs within the Veterans Administration, in the private sector and within state systems.  She has participated in research on brief screening for gambling problems, as well as a broad range of other problem gambling related research projects.  She has provided consultation and training on gambling disorder throughout the United States, for the military and internationally.  She is Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland and Special Projects Consultant with the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling.  She is also currently Responsible Gambling Specialist with the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries.