The GAI assesses client truthfulness, gambling involvement, suicide ideation, substance (alcohol and other drugs) abuse, along with the client's attitude (positive or negative) and stress handling abilities. These seven scales help in our understanding of gamblers of the threepage GAI report begins with the gambler's name and some basic demographics. The GAI profile sets forth the GAI scales, the client's attained scale scores and a graphic representation of these scores. This graph summarizes client scores quickly, usually with little more than a glance. Then, some basic selfreported court history is presented. Page one concludes with a reproduction of all the client's answers, which facilitates identification of answers to specific items.
Gambler Addiction Index
NAME OR ID# : Example Report CONFIDENTIAL REPORT
AGE:
33 SEX : Male
ETHNICITY/RACE : Caucasian
EDUCATION/GRADE : High school graduate
MARITAL
STATUS : Married
DATE GAI
SCORED : 12/11/2006
GAI results are confidential and should be considered working hypotheses. No diagnosis or decision should be based solely upon GAI results.
The GAI is to be used in conjunction with experienced staff judgment.
MEASURES %ile GAI PROFILE - LOW RISK MEDIUM PROBLEM MAX
TRUTHFULNESS 44
GAMBLER
SEVERITY 72
ALCOHOL 88
DRUGS 42
SUICIDE 73
STRESS
COPING 68
PERCENTILE SCORES
DSMIV GAMBLING
SCALE CLASSIFICATION: Social Gambler - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PROVIDED BY CLIENT
Totalnumber of arrests 2
Alcoholrelated arrests. 2
Times on probation. 1
Drugrelated arrests 0
Probation revocations 0 # of months employed past year 12
Jail sentences. 0
Average times gambling per month 1
GAI RESPONSES (GAI TEST # 1)
The second page of the GAI report presents scale paragraphs for the Truthfulness, Attitude, Gambler, Alcohol, Drugs and Suicide Scales. Each paragraph identifies the scale it represents, gives its attained score, explains what that score means and offers scorerelated recommendations.
TRUTHFULNESS SCALE: MEDIUM RISK RANGE RISK PERCENTILE:44
This client's score on the Truthfulness Scale is in the Medium Risk (40 to 69th percentile) range. This is an accurate GAI profile.
However, there is a tendency for this person to deny common problems and to portray self in an overly favorable light. Specific questions will usually be answered more accurately than open ended or general type questions.
This client has adequate reading skills. This is an accurate profile and other GAI scale scores are accurate.
SCALE SOCIAL GAMBLER
This client admitted to one or two of the 10 DSMIV pathological gambling criteria.
The GAI initiated a one or two criteria admissions “social gambler” classification. The terms “problem gambler” (3 or 4 criteria) and “pathological gambler” ( 5 or more criteria) do not apply in this 10 criteria DSMIV categorization. The gambler admitted to 1 or 2 of the DSMIV’s criteria. Problem “severity” takes precedence over classification so review the GAI Gambler Severity Scale. This client manifests “social gambler” features.
GAMBLER SEVERITY SCALE: PROBLEM RISK RANGE RISK PERCENTILE:72
This gambler scored in the Problem Risk (70 to 89th percentile) range.
Problem Risk scorers are often in the early stages of problematic gambling. Carefully review any other elevated (70th percentile or higher) GAI scale scores. Pay particular attention to the Alcohol
Scale, Drugs Scale and Suicide Scale. This individual manifests gamblingrelated problems. A definite pattern of gamblerrelated admissions is needed to attain this score. Gambler’s Anonymous (GA) or counseling (individual or group) should be considered.
ALCOHOL SCALE: PROBLEM RISK RANGE RISK PERCENTILE:88
This person's Alcohol Scale score is in the Problem Risk (70 to 89th
percentile) range. Alcohol (beer, wine or liquor) problems are
indicated. Either this client has a drinking problem or is a
recovering (alcohol problem, but has stopped drinking) alcoholic.
A pattern of alcohol abuse is evident. Relapse is possible. Alcohol
related counseling (or treatment) and/or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
participation are recommended. This is a problem risk Alcohol Scale
score. Score on the Drugs Scale is in the Medium Risk (40 to 69th percentile) range. Some indicators of drug use are present,
however, an established pattern of drug abuse is not evident. Drug related problems are not likely and not focal issues. Participation
in an educational (alcohol and other drug abuse) program might be considered. Interview to establish this client's history and pattern of drug involvement. This is a medium risk Drugs Scale score.
SUICIDE SCALE:PROBLEM RISK RANGE RISK PERCENTILE:
73 scored in the Problem Risk (70 to 89th percentile) range.
Any suicidal
threats or suicidal ruminations or suicidal ideation
should be taken
seriously. In interview explore any sense of depriva
tion of affection
and love, feelings of rejection or hopelessness,
The
third page of
the GAI report completes the Suicide Scale paragraph then continues with the
Stress Coping Abilities Scale paragraph. Significant items (direct
admissions and unusual answers) are set forth for the Alcohol, Drugs,
Attitude, Gambler and Suicide Scales. A concise (items 159 through 166)
structured interview follows. These items are multiple choice, and the
answer selected by the client is printed in the report. Page 3 concludes
with space for staff observations, recommendations, signature and the date
of the assessment.
Report 3GAI REPORT
desperation,
serious financial losses or chronic pain. Substance
(alcohol or drugs)
abuse or impaired stress coping abilities can
exacerbate
suicidal ideation. Consider referring this person for
counseling(individual or group). This is a problem risk score.
STRESS COPING SCALE: MEDIUM RISK RANGE RISK PERCENTILE:73
Stress coping
abilities are not well established. Stress is likely a
focal area of
concern. This person is not coping effectively with
stress, tension,
anxiety or pressure. Symptoms of stress include
irritability,
depression, marital/family problems, impaired concentra
tion and in some
cases even substance abuse. Stress is contributing to
emotional and
adjustment problems. This is a problem risk Stress
Coping Abilities
Scale score.
SIGNIFICANT ITEMS:
Answers are either client selfadmissions or
unusual
responses that should be explored within the context of the
client's
lifestyle.
ALCOHOL
DRUGS
3. Is concerned
about drinking No significant items were
15. Drinking caused
social problms reported for this scale.
57. Missed work due to drinking
SEVERITY SUICIDE
71. Told gambling ruining life 48. States “Nobody cares about me”
112. Can't stop
gambling 111. Loneliness becoming unbearable
STRUCTURED INTERVIEW: Client's answers with all their biases (items 159 through
166) reflect the respondent's attitude and outlook.
159.Gambling: a slight problem
160.Drinking: moderate problem
161. Drug use: a slight problem
162. May need gambling treatment
163. May need
alcohol treatment
164. No need
for drug treatment
165. Not a
recovering person
166. Rates
gambling under control
