Long-term continuous clients and their needs: a New Zealand analysis

Author: McMillan Lynley   Bellringer Maria   Tse Samson   Brown Robert   Rossen Fiona   Adams Peter  

Publisher: Routledge Ltd

ISSN: 1445-9795

Source: International Gambling Studies, Vol.4, Iss.1, 2004-06, pp. : 17-32

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Abstract

National New Zealand data (2002) indicate that 27% of gambling clients remain in treatment for longer than 12 months. This research retrospectively analysed data from long-term continuous, re-admitted and brief therapy clients. The data were obtained from a national database and were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results indicated that relevant differences between long-term continuous and other clients occurred in ethnicity and clinic location. The latter was confounded by the number of clinics versus clients. The average age of long-term continuous clients was 43 years; 5-6 years older than other clients; however, this marginally failed to reach a level of statistical significance. The results led to the proposal of two alternative models of therapy for clients with gambling problems: (a) a six-session capsule model and (b) an inductive, open-ended model (with regular review component). Further research is required to test the efficacy of these models.