Gambling disorder and addiction is complex and often results in a wide range adverse impacts to families and communities. In order to bring collaborative effort in combating the spread of gambling disorder and addiction in our communities, “Asian Pacific Problem Gambling and Addiction Conference (APPGAC)” has been organizing by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Even Centre, and co-organized with Ping Wo Fund, Home Affair Bureau, numbers of esteemed universities and organizations in Hong Kong and Macau since 2005.
There is a growing number of biochemical, neuroimaging and clinical studies suggesting a strong neurobiological link between behavioral addictions and substance use disorders. With this in mind, we have chosen the conference theme of "Neurological and Psychosocial Aspects of Gambling Disorder and Addiction" this year. The aims of this conference include advancing the knowledge on disordered gambling and addiction as well as creating a platform for interdisciplinary collaborations across the fields of problem gambling and addiction professional.
A logo of “brain with question mark” is used as the design concept for this year conference theme. It represents a marking of collaborations between different professionals in participating neurological and psychosocial assessment and intervention to families who suffer from gambling disorders and addiction.