Gambling, alcohol, consumption, cigarette smoking and health: Findings from the 2007 British Gambling Prevalence Survey (original) (raw)

2010, Addiction Research & Theory

1.1 Previous research has shown a link between gambling, alcohol, and cigarette smoking. Cooccurrence of problem gambling with other behavioural and psychological disorders can exacerbate, or be exacerbated by, problem gambling. Using participant data from the 2007 British Gambling Prevalence Survey (BGPS) (n = 9003 adults aged 16 years and over), secondary analysis was carried out on the relationship between gambling and three particular areas of co-occurrence. These were general health status, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption. All analysis was age standardised to allow comparisons between groups after adjusting for the effects of any difference in their age distributions. 1.2 Results showed that: • cigarette smokers were more likely than non-smokers to have gambled in both past week and past year • smokers were over three times more likely than non-smokers to be a problem gambler • alcohol consumption was significantly associated with having gambled in both past week and past year • alcohol consumption as measured by the number of units drank on their heaviest drinking day in the last week was significantly associated with problem gambling • health status was not associated with either past week or past year gambling • the prevalence rate of problem gambling among those with poor health were over three times as likely to be a problem gambler compared to those with good health. Implications of these results are discussed. 2 Introduction 2.1 Gambling has not been traditionally viewed as a public health matter (Korn, 2000; Griffiths, 2004). However, the social and health costs of problem gambling can be large on both individuals and society more generally. Personal costs can include irritability, extreme moodiness, problems with personal relationships (including divorce), absenteeism from work, family neglect, and bankruptcy (Griffiths, 2007). Problem gambling often occurs concurrently with other behavioural and psychological disorders, which can exacerbate, or be exacerbated by, problem gambling (Griffiths, 2007). Adult problem gamblers also have increased rates of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), substance abuse or dependence, antisocial, narcissistic, and borderline personality disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 1994; Griffiths, 2007). There is also some evidence that cross-addictions may differ among demographic subgroups and gambling types (Griffiths, 1994a). For instance, young male slot machine gamblers are more likely to abuse solvents (Griffiths, 1994b). 2.2 Previous research has shown a link between gambling and alcohol, nicotine smoking and/or drug use. For example, alcohol can be used as a way of coping with depression and/or anxiety caused by gambling problems, and, conversely, alcohol may trigger gambling desire (Griffiths, Parke & Wood, 2002). Many studies have reported such links in both adults (eg Ramirez,