The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

The WAGER, Vol. 21(4) – Binge eating and problem gambling in men and women

Editor’s note: As part of our broader effort to streamline our science reviews, we have changed the way we provide citations to academic papers. Rather than presenting a list of references at the end of science reviews, we now link directly to published abstracts of these papers within the main text. Readers can click on these links to learn more details about the papers. Problem gambling and binge eating disorder are serious public health concerns. Previous research has suggested that the two disorders often coexist and impulsivity might be an important link between the two. Men and women, however, may... Read more →

STASH, Vol. 12(3) – Stimulant use and gambling among college students

Since 2008, more college students have reported using prescription drugs like Adderall, Ritalin and Concerta. These types of drugs stimulate the brain and make people with attention disorders like ADD or ADHD more focused; however, some students misuse these medications in order to get a high or to boost academic performance. With the rise of non-medical use of prescription drugs, it is important to understand how this behavior fits within college students’ other typical risky behaviors, such as gambling. Recently, researchers led by Irene Geisner studied the relationship between stimulant use and gambling behavior among college students. This week, as... Read more →

There’s always hope: My 38 years in recovery from gambling disorder

Editor's note: This story was written by Ed Talbot, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Council on Problem Gambling. We appreciate Mr. Talbot's contribution to our Special Series on Gambling and Addiction. November 30, 1977 was the final night of racing at the Taunton (Ma.) dog track. I gathered what little money I had left and wagered it on a greyhound named Perfect Treasure in the last race. The starting box opened and the 8 dogs began pursuit of the mechanical rabbit and symbolically Perfect Treasure tumbled to the turf. My dream world had crashed as well. The bet would... Read more →

ASHES, Vol. 12(3) – Early action: Smoking and gambling among high school students

Heavy smokers often report that they began smoking in adolescence. Likewise, people with gambling problems often report that they began gambling in adolescence. Researchers have begun to study possible links between smoking and gambling among teenagers. As part of our Special Series on Gambling and Addiction, this week’s ASHES reviews work by Andrea Weinberger and her colleagues, based on a survey of Connecticut high school students about their smoking and gambling. What is the research question? Are adolescents who are at-risk for gambling problems more likely to smoke more, and to start smoking at an earlier age, than other adolescents?... Read more →

The DRAM, Vol. 12(3) – Is alcohol consumption associated with gambling involvement?

Editor’s note: As part of our broader effort to streamline our science reviews, we have changed the way we provide citations to academic papers. Rather than presenting a list of references at the end of science reviews, we now link directly to published abstracts of these papers within the main text. Readers can click on these links to learn more details about the papers. Lately, more people across the globe have been getting more opportunities to gamble. It is important to understand how potential risk factors such as drinking alcohol affect gambling and gambling problems. This week, as part of... Read more →

Tuesday, March 8th, 2016 is the 3rd annual Gambling Disorder Screening Day

Gambling-related problems continue to pose an important public health problem for numerous jurisdictions around the world. However, the number of individuals who have benefited from treatment for this issue is scant. For example, in the United States, the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication found no people with gambling problems reported participating in gambling treatment. Similarly, Wendy Slutske reported that the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions found some gambling treatment participation, but at most, 10% of those with gambling-related problems reported that they engaged in such activity. There are a variety of reasons that limited treatment participation for gambling might... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 21(3) – Screening for Gambling Disorder among student athletes

Individuals with gambling-related problems don’t often seek treatment, sometimes because they don’t realize they have a problem. Brief screens, such as the Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS), give people—even non-clinicians—a quick way to decide whether someone requires further evaluation. This week, as part of our Special Series on Gambling and Addiction during Problem Gambling Awareness Month, we review a study by Caroline Temcheff and her colleagues. This team studied how to screen for Gambling Disorder among college athletes. What was the research question? Which diagnostic items are most useful for distinguishing people who meet criteria for Gambling Disorder from those... Read more →

Introduction to the Special Series on Gambling and Addiction

Gambling is an activity that means different things to different people. Most people who gamble do so as a form of recreation. They spend some money and time gambling because it’s fun and exciting. However, for some people, gambling is less like going to the movies and more like having a substance use disorder—they feel little control over their gambling, feel anxious and irritable when they try to cut down, and have to lie to friends and family members about their experiences. Researchers are trying to uncover the constellation of risk factors that make some people particularly vulnerable to gambling... Read more →