The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

The WAGER Vol. 22 (4) – How Finnish and French treatment professionals view Gambling Disorder and its treatment

There has been a lot of focus in recent years on evidence-based practices to improve outcomes for problem gambling treatment. However, personal factors such, as familiarity with treatment modalities and socio-cultural experiences and beliefs, likely affect providers’ use of evidence-based practices. As an example, Finnish culture focuses more on individualism and their addiction treatment is centered around social work, while French culture focuses less on individualism and center treatment around medicine. This week, The WAGER reviews a study by Anja Koski-Jännes and Laurence Simmat-Durand exploring cultural differences among behavioral addiction treatment specialists from Finland and France. What was the research... Read more →

STASH Vol. 13 (3): Double whammy? Problem gambling, substance use disorders, and illegal drug use

The perils of gambling-related problems and mental health/substance use disorders are diverse. By now, researchers have also come to understand that the two are frequent companions, and often unleash their destructive forces in tandem. To better understand the complicated relationship between co-occurring gambling-related problems and other mental health issues, researchers need to establish how these problems develop over time. In doing so, they will better understand how some mental health problems create risk for others. The BASIS, this week, reviews a study by Dr. Tracie Afifi and colleagues that uses data from young adults captured over several years to explore... Read more →

ASHES, Vol. 13(3) – A problematic escape: The interaction between smoking and gambling

Gambling disorder (GD) and nicotine dependence are both considerable public health challenges, and they tend to co-occur. Previous research found that 60% of people with GD also experience nicotine dependence, and people with nicotine dependence experience more severe gambling disorder symptoms than those without. Why do these conditions co-occur? One possibility is that impulsivity increases risk for both conditions. This week, as part of this month’s Special Series on Gambling Disorder, ASHES reviews a study by Celina Boothby and her colleagues that investigates the links among impulsivity, nicotine dependence, and GD among an online sample of individuals who gambled in... Read more →

The DRAM, Vol. 13(3) – Alcohol use and gambling disorder within a clinical sample

Imagine turning to alcohol or other drugs in a desperate attempt to escape from the strain of a gambling problem. All too often, gambling disorder and substance use disorders co-occur in the general population. This week, as a part of our Special Series on Gambling Disorder, The DRAM reviews a study by Amparo del Pino-Gutierrez and colleagues that examines prevalence of alcohol use, and its relationship with the clinical aspects of gambling disorder (GD) among individuals in gambling treatment. What was the research question? How many treatment-seeking GD patients experience alcohol use disorders, and do GD patients with alcohol use... Read more →

Screening Works! The 4th Annual Gambling Disorder Screening Day is March 14, 2017

During 2014, the Division on Addiction launched a new public health event, Gambling Disorder Screening Day. On this day, organizations from around the world administer a brief screen to their client populations and help connect people with potential gambling-related problems with resources. It’s not too late the join the Division on Addiction and its partners for Gambling Disorder Screening Day this year! How can you join? The answer is simple: help promote screening or host a screening day event yourself. We created this event because although Gambling Disorder has diverse financial, social, psychological, and health-related consequences, few people seek treatment... Read more →

Gloria's Story

Editor’s Note: Today’s op-ed comes from a woman named Gloria who describes her experiences with gambling disorder. We thank Gloria for sharing her story with BASIS readers, because we believe that stories such as hers help raise awareness, reduce stigma, and, ultimately, improve lives. This op-ed is part of our Special Series on Gambling Disorder. My name is Gloria. I am 71 years old, a wife, a mother, a grandmother and I have a major gambling problem. Nine years ago my life fell apart. I got in trouble because of my gambling. When it all came out, my family was... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 22(3) – Life events and problem gambling severity: A prospective study

Gambling behavior is rarely stable and, instead, often changes over time. It can be difficult to predict whether someone might develop, or overcome, a gambling problem; however, research has identified a variety of “life events,” such as traumatic experiences and major accomplishments, that might play a role. This week, as part of our Special Series on Gambling Disorder, THE WAGER reviews a longitudinal study by Christelle Luce and her colleagues that examines the cross-directional relationships between life events and gambling behavior at three different points in time. What is the research question? Do life events predict changes in gambling behavior?... Read more →

Introduction to the Special Series on Gambling Disorder

In the United States alone, about 0.6% of adults have experienced gambling problems so severe that they qualify for a psychiatric diagnosis. This translates into 1,454,825 people--approximately the entire population of Phoenix, Arizona---all of whom gamble so much that it causes financial, emotional, social, and health consequences for themselves, their families, and the communities. Rates vary in other countries, as a result of different gambling opportunities, attitudes toward gambling, systems of care, and countless other factors. Here at The BASIS, we know that raising awareness and reducing stigma about gambling disorder and other expressions of addiction can ultimately improve lives.... Read more →