The new draft guideline on harmful gambling recommends health professionals should ask people about gambling if they attend a health check or GP appointment about a mental health condition. 

These guideline aims to ensure that those needing help or who are at risk of harmful gambling are identified sooner and receive appropriate help.

Consultation on the draft guideline is open until Wednesday 15 November.

At the 10th International Conference on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users, held in Glasgow, Scotland, international policymakers gathered to discuss the global overdose crisis and the role that supervised consumption sites can play in helping end these needless and preventable deaths.

The policy brief

A new policy brief is now available that summarises the day’s discussions and provides a starting point for those wanting to know more about supervised consumption rooms and their impact.

It includes:

• Evidence of success
• Global case studies
• Evaluation models 
• Implementatio...

Background

Harmful alcohol use is more prevalent among sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) than their cisgender/heterosexual counterparts. The reasons for this are complex, incorporating alcohol’s normalization and availability in social settings, its importance to identity construction, and drinking to cope with stigma and discrimination. However, commercial determinants have been underexplored, particularly how alcohol is marketed to SGM communities.

Methods

Scoping review methodology was employed. Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, CINAHL, ASSIA...

Emotional wellness is a cornerstone of the recovery process. The American Addictions Centers explained in this short guidance how to use mindfulness therapy and other techniques to help individuals overcome negative thinking, leading to a healthier life and a successful recovery journey.

The Many Paths to Wellness: Explore Chapter 5 in "Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health," which defines the concept of recovery from substance use disorders and reviews methods used by mutual aid groups and recovery support services to foster and sustain recovery. Understand why recovery matters and the diverse paths to wellness.

The American Addictions Centers provide insights into how a healthy diet and exercise can enhance overall health and recovery. This resource offers an overview of the root of addiction and how to overcome it through healthy life habits. This guidance will emphasize the benefits of a healthy diet in improving overall health and supporting recovery. It will also shed light on the positive impact of exercise, including therapies like yoga, on both physical and mental well-being. Additionally, it will provide an overview of the underlying causes of addiction and offer insights on how to overcome...

SAMHSA explains the concept of wellness, encompassing physical and mental health. This resource elaborates on the eight dimensions of wellness that cover various aspects of modern-day life, highlighting the interconnection between physical and mental well-being.