Association between posttreatment gambling behavior and harm in pathological gamblers.

This study investigated the relationship between posttreatment gambling behavior and harm in a sample of treatment-seeking pathological gamblers. One year after initiating treatment, participants (n = 178) completed the Gambling Timeline Followback (D. C. Hodgins & K. Makarchuk, 2003; J. Weinstock, J. P. Whelan, & A. W. Meyers, 2004) and the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS; H. R. Lesieur & S. B. Blume, 1987), both of which assessed gambling behaviors and problems over the prior 6 months. Based upon self-reports of gambling-related problems on the SOGS, participants were classified as problem free (SOGS scores = 0) or symptomatic gamblers (SOGS scores > or = 1). Receiver operator characteristic curves evaluated classification by gambling behaviors for individuals classified in these 2 groups. Behavioral indicators for problem-free gambling were gambling no more than once per month, gambling for no more than 1.5 hr per month, and spending no more than 1.9% of monthly income on gambling. Alternative behavioral indicators were examined along a continuum of harm (SOGS cut-points of 1-5). These results provide preliminary data regarding intensity of gambling behavior associated with problem-free to probable pathological gambling in gamblers who presented for treatment.