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This self-assessment NORC Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Problems – Clinical Screen (NODS) , was originally developed by Gerstein D. R., Volberg R. A., Toce M. T., Harwood H., Johnson R. A., Buie T., Christiansen E., Cummings W., Engelman L., Hill M. A., Hoffmann J., Larison C., Murphy S., Palmer A., Sinclair S., and Thompson S. . TraitProfiler provides an interactive digital version for educational, informational, and self-exploration purposes only.

NORC Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Problems – Clinical Screen (NODS)

Background

The NORC Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Problems – Clinical Screen (NODS) is a psychological questionnaire used to identify gambling-related problems and possible gambling disorder symptoms.

The assessment looks at gambling urges, loss of control, emotional gambling, repeated failed attempts to stop, money problems, relationship difficulties, and problems caused by gambling in daily life.

The NODS is commonly used in addiction research and mental health screening because it provides a reliable way to measure problematic gambling behavior.

Higher scores may suggest compulsive gambling behavior, emotional dependence on gambling, financial stress, or serious gambling-related difficulties.

Procedure

You will be presented with 17 questions about gambling behavior and gambling-related experiences.

Read each question carefully and choose either “Yes” or “No” based on your personal experiences.

Please answer honestly according to your real behavior and experiences related to gambling.

Participation

This assessment is intended for adults who are able to understand and honestly answer questions about gambling behavior and related experiences.

Participation is voluntary. Responses are anonymous and intended for educational, self-awareness, and research-related purposes only.

Higher scores may reflect gambling-related problems, poor control over gambling, emotional dependence, or possible gambling disorder symptoms.

NORC Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Problems – Clinical Screen (NODS) Questionnaire

Instructions & Terms

Below is the NORC Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Problems – Clinical Screen (NODS), a digitally adapted 17- items self-assessment questionnaire. This assessment does not provide a clinical diagnosis, medical determination, or substitute for professional psychological evaluation.

Question 1 of 17

Have there ever been periods lasting 2 weeks or longer when you spent a lot of time thinking about gambling experiences or planning future gambling activities or bets?


Question 2 of 17

Have there ever been periods lasting 2 weeks or longer when you spent a lot of time thinking about ways to get money for gambling?


Question 3 of 17

Have you ever lied to family, friends, or others about how much you gambled or how much money you lost gambling?


Question 4 of 17

If yes, did this happen three or more times?


Question 5 of 17

Have you ever tried to stop, reduce, or control your gambling?


Question 6 of 17

When trying to stop or reduce gambling, did you become restless or irritated?


Question 7 of 17

Have you ever tried but failed to stop, reduce, or control your gambling?


Question 8 of 17

Has this happened three or more times?


Question 9 of 17

Have there been times when you needed to gamble with more money or larger bets to get the same excitement?


Question 10 of 17

Have you ever gambled to reduce feelings like guilt, stress, helplessness, or sadness?


Question 11 of 17

Have you ever gambled to escape from personal problems?


Question 12 of 17

Has there been a time when after losing money gambling, you returned another day to win the money back?


Question 13 of 17

Have you ever written a bad check or taken money that did not belong to you to pay for gambling?


Question 14 of 17

Has gambling caused serious or repeated problems with family members or friends?


Question 15 of 17

Has gambling caused school problems such as missing classes or lower grades?


Question 16 of 17

Has gambling caused job problems, work difficulties, or loss of career opportunities?


Question 17 of 17

Have you ever needed to ask others for money or financial help because of gambling problems?




Psychometric Norms

1
Participants
59%
Community Mean
0%
Sample SD
59%
Highest Observed Score
59%
Lowest Observed Score
2026–2026
Collection Period

Current normative data for theCurrent normative data for the NORC Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Problems – Clinical Screen (NODS) are derived from 1 anonymous participant responses collected through TraitProfiler between 2026 and 2026. All response data are collected anonymously and are intended exclusively for educational, psychometric, and non-commercial research purposes.

Sources
  1. Gerstein D. R. et al. National Opinion Research Center (1999). "Gambling Impact and Behavior Study."