Gambling Addiction Facts and Statistics | Gambling and Substance Abuse

Suspect that you or a loved one might live with gambling addiction? This mental health condition is more common than you may think.

As many as10 millionAmericans live with agambling addiction. The act of gambling itself is not illegal in most situations, which can make it easier for people to justify risky gambling behaviors. Unfortunately, most people who have a gambling addiction dont see it as a problem. Only21 percentof incarcerated individuals assessed as having gambling addiction thought that their gambling was problematic. Understanding gambling addiction facts can help reduce stigma and misunderstandings related to this disorder and make it easier to find access toprofessional treatment.

In most cases, gambling is legal and, for most people, not problematic. However, gambling trends indicate that the consequences can be dire for individuals who do develop a gambling problem. The advent of the internet has made gambling more accessible through online betting platforms and games of chance. As gambling becomes more easily accessed by more people, the number of lives negatively affected by gambling has also increased.

Gambling among college students is on the rise. According to a combination of national studies,1 in 20college students meet the criteria forcompulsive gambling. College student gambling statistics indicate that the rate of compulsive gambling amongcollege studentsismore than doublethe rate of the overall adult population. One reason for these high rates may be the increased accessibility of gambling through the internet.Some studies indicate that 23 percentof college students report gambling online, with6 percentdoing so weekly.

Compulsive gamblingdoesnt just affect the person who gambles.Statisticsindicate that families where a parent gambles compulsively are more likely to experiencedomestic violence, including child abuse. Even when gambling and domestic violence dont coincide, children of parents with gambling addiction aremore likelyto developdepression,substance useand behavioral problems later in life.

While gambling is legal in most states, gambling and crime frequently are related.Approximately halfof compulsive gamblers commit crimes. Most of these crimes are related to obtaining money to gamble or to pay gambling debts.Common crimesrelated to compulsive gambling include fraud, forgery, embezzlement, larceny, shoplifting, burglary and petty theft. As compulsive gambling increases in severity, there is acorrelationof increased criminal activity. Understanding this relationship requires a review of gambling and crime rate statistics:

Gambling addiction prevalence is difficult to measure, especially because so many people who live with gambling addiction dont recognize it as a problem. However, there is some data available about the prevalence of gambling addiction in each state. According to a2018 study conducted by WalletHub, Nevada had the highest rate of gambling addiction. Nevada was also ranked as the most gambling-friendly state. The states with the next highest frequencies of gambling addiction included Mississippi, Minnesota, Kansas, New Jersey and Nevada. New Mexico, New York, Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, and Michigan had the lowest rates of gambling addiction.

Gambling addiction in adults is more common than underage gambling. Increased financial resources during adulthood and legal access to gambling likely contribute to this higher prevalence.Signs of gambling addictionin adults may often go overlooked as someone simply having a good time. However, when gambling is used as a distraction from lifes problems or to improve mood, it is likely becoming problematic. Feeling the need to hide gambling from loved ones and experiencing guilt and shame after acting out on gambling urges are other key signs of gambling addiction.

A comparison of gambling addiction in men vs. women indicates thatcompulsive gamblingis more common among men than women. Why are men more prone to gambling addiction? This disparity may exist because female compulsive gamblersusually begin gambling at a later age. However, it is also worth noting that when women do start gambling, they appear to become addicted to gambling more quickly.

One studylooking into gambling disorder age of onset found that 69 percent of adolescents reported beginning gambling before the age of 12. Gambling in childhood and teenage yearsincreases the risk of developing compulsive gambling. Gambling addiction age stats indicate that an earlier onset of gambling isrelated toincreased severity of gambling addiction and overall worsemental health.

Many online gambling games do not require a player to use real money, making them seem safer than other gambling options. However, online gambling statistics show that playing these simulated gambling gamesincreases the likelihoodthat someone will engage in later gambling and engage in problematic gambling behaviors. Online gambling also increases accessibility to gambling. For example, underage youth can easily enter a false date of birth to access gambling websites intended for use by adults only.

In addition to frequentco-occurrence of other addictions, compulsive gamblers are alsomore likelyto have co-occurring personality disorders, depression or anxiety. Studies indicate that increased frequency of internet gambling islinked to poor mental health.

While gambling addiction is treatable, statistics indicate that few people with this disorder seek professional help. Of incarcerated individuals who were aware of their gambling addiction,more than 60 percentreported wanting help, but only25 percentsought assistance. Only5.4 percentof people with gambling addiction report having attendedgambling addiction treatmentor related self-help groups.

This disparity in recognizing the problem and accessing treatment may be due to outdated beliefs that compulsive gambling is not an addiction. Shifting from the belief that compulsive gambling is a moral failing to understanding that gambling addiction is a recognized mental health condition may increase treatment rates.

In many ways, gambling addiction treatment methods are similar to treatment options for substance use disorders. Individuals who arent sure they have a gambling problem are likely to benefit from motivational interviewing (MI), an approach that focuses on increasing personal motivation and awareness of the negative consequences of a behavior. Compulsive gambling is also treated withcognitive behavioral therapy.

Gambling addiction treatment varies in intensity frominpatient treatment facilities,outpatient therapyand mutual aid groups. One of the most common mutual aid groups for compulsive gambling isGamblers Anonymous. Like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, this group follows a12-step modeland relies on peer support.

If you or a loved one is struggling with co-occurring substance use and gambling addictions, help is available. At The Recovery Village, a team of professionals can design an individualized treatment plan to address your specific areas of concern. Call today tospeak with a representativeand learn more about whattreatment optionsare available to you.

By Denise-Marie Griswold, LCAS

Editor Megan Hull

Medically Reviewed By Nanci Stockwell, LCSW, MBA

North American Foundation for Gambling Addiction Help. Statistics Of Gambling Addiction 2016. (n.d.) Accessed April 9, 2019.

Hagan, K. Gambling linked to one in five suicidal patients. The Age, April 21, 2010. Accessed March 11, 2019.

Dickins, M., & Thomas, A. Is it gambling or a game? Australian Gambling Research Centre, April 2016. Accessed March 11, 2019.

Hynes, J. Gaming & Gambling: Facts for Teachers & Parents. Prevention Lane, March 11, 2018. Accessed March 11, 2019.

Hynes, J. Vulnerable Populations for Gambling Problems. Prevention Lane, August 27, 2013. Accessed March 11, 2019.

Prevention Lane. Problem Gambling and College. Accessed March 11, 2019.

Petry, N.M., & Weinstock, J. Internet gambling is common in college s[] poor mental health. American Journal of Addiction, September 2007. Accessed March 11, 2019.

Dawson, G., & Blake, J. Number of young people with gambling problems increases. BBC Newsbeat, October 9, 2013. Accessed March 11, 2019.

Josephson, H., Carlbring, P., Forseberg, L., & Rosendahl, I. People with gambling disorder and risky []ioral group therapy. PeerJ, March 31, 2016. Accessed March 11, 2019.

Hampton, D. Heres How Each State Ranks For Gambling Addiction. Patch, April 26, 2018. Accessed March 11, 2019.

Rahman, A.S., Pilver, C.E., Desai, R.A., Steinberg, M.A., Rugle, L., Krishnan-Sarin, S., & Potenza, M. The Relationships Between Age of Gamblin[]ic Gambling Severity. Journal of Psychiatric Research, May 1, 2013. Accessed March 11, 2019.

Gurnon, E. Problem Gambling Among Older Adults. Next Avenue, May 10, 2018. Accessed March 11, 2019.

Fong, T. W. The biopsychosocial consequences of path[]logical gambling.Psychiatry, March 2005. Accessed March 11, 2019.

Green, C. L., Nahhas, R. W., Scoglio, A. A., & Elman, I. Post-traumatic stress symptoms in pathol[]nti-reward processes. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, February 23, 2017. Accessed March 11, 2019.

Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.

Read the original post:

Gambling Addiction Facts and Statistics | Gambling and Substance Abuse