The NORC Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Problems-Self Administered is self-assessment version of the NODS (the NORC Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Disorders). It was designed to assist individuals in evaluating whether to modify or seek help for their gambling behavior. The NODS is based on the APA’s DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling. Please answer the following 10 Yes/No questions honestly.

 

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This self-assessment will help you figure out if there is a problem, but only a professional can diagnose if it is a gambling problem, a different problem, or both. If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you should seek help. If you suspect that you have a gambling problem, you should seek help regardless of how you score on this screening test.

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Self-Screening Quiz

Question 1

Have there ever been periods lasting two weeks or longer when you spent a lot of time thinking about your gambling experiences, planning out future gambling ventures or bets, or thinking about ways of getting more money to gamble with?

Yes No
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Self-Screening Quiz

Question 2

Have there ever been periods when you needed to gamble with increasing amounts of money or with larger bets than before in order to get the same feeling of excitement?

Yes No
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Self-Screening Quiz

Question 3

Have you ever felt restless or irritable when trying to stop, cut down, or control gambling?

Yes No
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Self-Screening Quiz

Question 4

Have you tried and not succeeded in stopping, cutting down, or controlling your gambling three or more times in your life?

Yes No
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Self-Screening Quiz

Question 5

Have you ever gambled to escape from personal problems, or to relieve uncomfortable feelings such as guilt, anxiety, helplessness, or depression?

Yes No
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Self-Screening Quiz

Question 6

Has there ever been a period when, if you lost money gambling one day, you would often return another day to get even?

Yes No
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Self-Screening Quiz

Question 7

Have you lied to family members, friends, or others about how much you gamble, and/or about how much money you lost on gambling, on at least three occasions?

Yes No
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Self-Screening Quiz

Question 8

Have you ever written a bad cheque or taken money that didn’t belong to you from family members, friends, or anyone else in order to pay for your gambling?

Yes No
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Self-Screening Quiz

Question 9

Has your gambling ever caused serious or repeated problems in your relationships with any of your family members or friends? Or, has your gambling ever caused problems at work or your studies?

Yes No
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Self-Screening Quiz

Question 10

Have you ever needed to ask family members, friends, a lending institution, or anyone else to loan you money or otherwise bail you out of a desperate money situation that was largely caused by your gambling?

Yes No

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Self-Screening Quiz

Results

If you suspect that you have a gambling problem, you should seek help for that problem regardless of how you score on this screening test.

Finding Assistance and Resources for Gambling Problems

There are a number of resources available.

Find Problem Gambling Help Now
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Self-Screening Quiz

Results

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you should seek help. If you suspect that you have a gambling problem, you should seek help regardless of how you score on this screening test.

Finding Assistance and Resources for Gambling Problems

There are a number of resources available.

Find Problem Gambling Help Now

 

About the Screening Tool

The NORC Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Problems-Self-Administered (NODS-SA) was developed by staff from the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. The instrument is a modification of the NODS, a diagnostic instrument based on the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-IV criteria for Pathological Gambling. Please note that while the NODS has been tested and shown to be reliable and valid for use in the general population (see Gerstein, et al. 1999), the NODS-SA has not been fully validated.

Gerstein D, Hoffmann J, Larison C, et al. 1999. Gambling impact and behavior study: report to the National Gambling Impact Study Commission. NORC.

Gambling Impact and Behavior Study

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Protect Yourself

It is important to note that this self-assessment is not a diagnosis and DOES NOT replace a face to face evaluation with a trained clinical professional. If you or someone you know answers “yes” to ANY of these questions, please consider seeking further assistance or information about your gambling behavior.

For more information on contacting a clinical professional, please visit our Treatment Providers and Treatment & Counseling pages.

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NEXTSTEP to 53342

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