An Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) annual report on problem gambling treatment outcomes indicates while treatment is successful for most individuals, more than half of Iowans don’t know it is available. Only 44 percent of Iowans are aware treatment for problem gambling is available.

According to the 2014 Iowa Gambling Treatment Outcomes Monitoring System report, the greatest treatment success was among those clients who received four or more services (such as individual face-to face-counseling) within the first 30 days after admission, those who received recovery support services (care coordination, education, and recovery peer coaching), and those who received treatment via e-therapy (phone, Web, chat, text, video, etc.). The report and analysis, which were compiled by the University of Northern Iowa Center for Social and Behavioral Research, found significant evidence that treatment works. For example, after discharge, the number of days a client reported gambling in the past 30 days dropped from eight days upon admission to treatment to one day at discharge. The vast majority (92 percent) of clients at discharge reported reduced signs of problem gambling. The signs include:

• Thinking a lot about gambling, such as past gambling experiences, future gambling ventures, or ways of getting money for gambling
• Needing to gamble with larger amounts of money or with larger bets in order to get the same feeling of excitement
• Repeatedly trying to cut down or stop gambling without success
• Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut down or stop gambling
• Gambling to run away from problems or to get relief from feeling depressed, anxious, or bad about yourself
• After losing money gambling, often returning another day in order to win back losses
• Lying to family members, friends, or others in order to hide gambling from them
• Losing or almost losing a significant relationship, job, or an educational or career opportunity because of gambling
• Relying on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling

The report found older clients (age 51 or older) were more likely to complete treatment than younger clients (18-50 years) and male clients were more likely than females to stay in treatment. Clients who had been trying to control their gambling on their own before admission were more likely to complete treatment than those who said they were ready to change their gambling behavior, but hadn’t actually made any changes prior to treatment.

To learn about treatment options or to speak with someone about problem gambling concerns, visit www.1800BETSOFF.org or call 1-800-BETS OFF.