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Disinhibition and negative affectivity in substance abusers with and without a gambling problem
1Cleveland VA Medical Center, Brecksville, OH 44141.
Addictive Behaviors
|May 1, 1993
Summary
Substance abusers with gambling problems exhibit higher impulsivity and negative affectivity, suggesting psychological traits can subtype this population. This highlights the need for comprehensive behavioral assessments in addiction treatment.
Area of Science:
- Addiction research
- Clinical psychology
- Behavioral science
Background:
- Substance abuse and gambling disorder often co-occur.
- Understanding shared psychological traits is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and psychological correlates of gambling problems in a substance abuse cohort.
- To explore potential subtypes of substance abusers based on gambling behavior and psychological profiles.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 2,171 substance abusers were assessed for gambling behavior.
- Participants were categorized into groups based on the severity of their gambling problem.
- Psychological measures assessed impulsivity, disinhibition, and negative affectivity.
Main Results:
- 5.8% of substance abusers had severe gambling problems, and 7.2% had probable problems.
- Substance abusers with gambling problems showed significantly higher impulsivity, disinhibition, and negative affectivity.
- Individuals with gambling problems also reported higher rates of polysubstance abuse.
Conclusions:
- Gambling problems are prevalent in substance abuse populations and associated with specific psychological traits.
- Assessing a broad spectrum of impulsive behaviors is vital for substance abuse treatment.
- Psychological profiling may enable the subtyping of substance abusers, informing personalized interventions.
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