Psychiatric symptoms in problem gambling and non-problem gambling substance abusers

This study compared demographic characteristics, Addiction Severity Index (ASI) ratings, and psychiatric symptoms in 103 substance abusers with and without gambling problems. Thirty-one of the substance abusers were identified as probable pathological gamblers on the South Oaks Gambling Screen. Although no differences in demographic characteristics or ASI ratings were noted between the groups, subjects with a gambling problem consistently reported more psychiatric distress than substance abusers without a gambling problem. Specifically, they had increased ratings on somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, and paranoia scales. These results are discussed in terms of the need to identify and treat gambling problems among substance abusers.