Problem gambling and substance use disorders are serious public health concerns. The link between the two hasn’t been well studied, and most of the information has been on individuals who received treatment. Research suggests stark differences between gamblers who seek treatment and those who don’t. What’s more, many problem gamblers and substance users have mental health problems that may keep them from seeking treatment. For these reasons, there is a need for more information from individuals who do not seek treatment.For these reasons, there is a need for more information about individuals who don’t seek treatment.
Researchers reviewed the literature to understand the relationship between problem gambling and illicit drug use. Their review covers issues related to gambling as a hidden problem in the illicit drug use community, the prevalence of the two as linked conditions, problem gambling as an addiction similar to illicit drug use, risk factors and problems associated with comorbidity, and gender issues.
To find out about their results, you can read the full Research Snapshot on the EENet website.
Research Snapshots are brief, clear language summaries of research, presented in a user-friendly format. To read EENet’s clear language summary of this research, and others, visit www.eenet.ca.