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Taking chances: problem gamblers and mental health disorders--results from the St. Louis Epidemiologic Catchment Area
R M Cunningham-Williams1, L B Cottler, W M Compton
1Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA. cunning@epi.wustl.edu
Objectives:
This study determined prevalence estimates of problem gambling and relationships to other psychiatric and substance use disorders.
Methods:
In 1981, the Diagnostic Interview Schedule was used to collect epidemiological information on problem gambling and other disorders from 3004 adults in St. Louis, Mo.
Results:
The lifetime prevalence of pathological gambling was 0.9%; 46% of those surveyed gambled recreationally. Problem gamblers (those reporting at least one gambling-related problem) were 9.2% of the sample and were predominately White (69%), male (78.2%), and young than nongamblers. They were at increased risk for several psychiatric diagnoses, especially for antisocial personality disorder, alcoholism, and tobacco dependence.
Conclusions:
Clinicians treating alcoholism and tobacco dependence may need to screen for problem gambling. Additional research in the context of increased gambling opportunities is needed.