Ready to Change: a scheduled telephone counselling programme for problem gambling

Abstract

This study describes the implementation of an innovative 4-6 week cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programme for problem gambling, Ready to Change (RTC), delivered via telephone and workbook. Participants referred into the programme during the first three years of operation had a mean age of 45 years (range 19-81 years). The majority of participants were female (56%, n=129) and had problems associated with gaming machines (81.7%, n=188). Between January 2008 and December 2010, 230 people were assessed and offered the RTC programme. The main reason for referral of a person into the programme was difficulty in accessing a face-to-face agency. We describe the components and challenges of a 4-6 week programme for the treatment of problem gambling delivered via telephone. While distance-based treatments address concerns over access to services, further research investigating their effectiveness is required.