Pathological and Problem Gambling among Veterans in Clinical Care: Prevalence, Demography, and Clinical Correlates

Westermeyer, Joe; Cañive, José M.; Thuras, Paul; Oakes, Michael; Spring, Marline

doi:10.1111/j.1521-0391.2012.12011.x

Cited by 22 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Problem gambling in veterans was however double that of the UK general population prevalence rate ( Gambling Commission, 2018 ). This increased rate in veterans compared with the general population is also in line with previous findings from the USA ( Westermeyer et al., 2013 ). Given the differing conventions used when reporting gambling severity, such as comparing ARPG with problem gamblers alone ( Stefanovics, Potenza, & Pietrzak, 2017 ), the proportion we identified of ARPG within the UK armed forces veterans (3.6%) is consistent with evidence from USA veterans.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…The UK veterans have a greater prevalence of problem gambling compared with non-veterans corroborates international findings from Australia ( Biddle et al., 2005 ) and the USA ( Westermeyer et al., 2013 ; Whiting et al., 2016 ). Here, the proportional incidence of problem gambling in veterans (1.4%) was significantly higher than in age- and sex-matched non-veterans (0.2%) ( p < .05).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

“…Prevalence rates of problem gambling are higher in armed forces veterans than the general population. Westermeyer, Canive, Thuras, Oakes, and Spring ( 2013 ) determined that the prevalence rate of “pathological gambling” in the United States veterans was 2%, whereas Whiting et al. ( 2016 ) recently identified a combined prevalence rate of 4.2% for at-risk and probable categories of pathological gambling.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gambling problems and the impact of family in UK armed forces veterans

et al. 2018

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Background and aimsInternational evidence indicates elevated problem gambling rates in armed forces veterans compared with the general population. Gambling problems adversely impact one’s family, and family-related variables may increase vulnerability to gambling-related harm. Little is known, however, about gambling problems in the United Kingdom (UK) veterans or to what extent family variables, such as parenting history and experience of domestic violence, influence veterans’ gambling.MethodsWe compared veterans (n = 257) and sex- and age-matched controls (n = 514) drawn from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey on gambling, financial management, domestic violence, childhood parental presence, and experience of stressful life events. Veterans who left the military before or after 4 years of service were compared.ResultsProblem gambling was significantly more prevalent in veterans (1.4%) than non-veterans (0.2%), and the impact of gambling problems on the family was specific to male veterans, particularly those who had experienced a traumatic event after the age of 16, and those who were more likely to have been physically attacked by their partner. Overall, this study revealed that the UK armed forces veterans report a higher prevalence rate of problem gambling compared with non-veterans, with potential negative impact on family life.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gambling problems and the impact of family in UK armed forces veterans

et al. 2018

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“…According to the National Institutes of Health (2013), excessive alcohol consumption occurs at much higher rates among military personnel than civilians, with 47.0% of all active duty service members reporting binge drinking. Veterans also have a lifetime prevalence of pathological gambling that is 2 times higher than that of the general population (Westermeyer, Canive, Thuras, Oakes, & Spring, 2013). Other RSDB found to be elevated in veterans include reckless driving leading to fatal motor vehicle crashes (Hooper et al, 2006), aggression in those with PTSD (Jakupcak et al, 2007), and selfharm behavior (Kang et al, 2015).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Reckless Self‐Destructive Behavior and PTSD in Veterans: The Mediating Role of New Adverse Events

Lusk

Sadeh

Wolf

et al. 2017

Journal of Traumatic Stress

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The addition of self-destructive and reckless behavior as a symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in DSM-5 has stimulated renewed interest in understanding relationships between these behaviors and trauma-related psychopathology. This study examined the relationship between reckless and self-destructive behaviors (RSDB), intervening exposure to new adverse events, and later PTSD severity in a sample of trauma-exposed veterans. At baseline, participants were assessed for RSDB (past 5 years) and current PTSD severity (N = 222). PTSD severity was then reassessed approximately 4 years later (N = 148). Overall, RSDB were reported by 74.4% of the sample, with 61.3% engaging in multiple forms of RSDB. The most commonly endorsed behaviors included alcohol/drug abuse (42.8%), driving while intoxicated (29.4%), gambling (24.7%), and aggression (23.1%). RSDB correlated positively with PTSD severity at both the baseline (r = .16, p = .031) and follow-up assessment (r = .24, p = .005). Path models indicated that exposure to new adverse events fully mediated the effect of Time 1 RSDB on PTSD symptoms at Time 2 (indirect association: β = .05, p =.046). Results suggest that RSDB are common among trauma-exposed veterans and may perpetuate PTSD symptoms by increasing exposure to new adverse events.

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“…For example, problem and pathological gambling share many characteristics with substance addiction (e.g., craving/appetitive urge, repeated engagement despite adverse consequences, reduced self-control; Wareham & Potenza, 2010), and Veterans appear to have a greater prevalence of gambling and gambling-related consequences compared to the general population (Westermeyer et al, 2013). Additionally, such problems appear to be under-assessed and under-treated in VA treatment settings (Edens & Rosenheck, 2012; Drebing et al, 2001), and thus represent an important treatment consideration among this high-risk population.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Binge-drinking and non-partner aggression are associated with gambling among Veterans with recent substance use in VA outpatient treatment

Davis

Bonar

Goldstick

et al. 2017

Addictive Behaviors

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Background Gambling is relatively under-assessed in Veterans Affairs (VA) substance use disorder (SUD) treatment settings, yet shared characteristics with substance addiction suggest the importance of understanding how gambling behaviors present in Veterans seeking SUD care. Method We evaluated substance use, mental health, and violence-related correlates of past 30-day gambling among 833 veterans (93.4% male, M age 48.3 years, 71.5% Caucasian) seeking treatment in VA outpatient mental health and SUD clinics who completed screening for a randomized controlled trial. Results A total of 288 (34.3%) Veterans reported past 30-day gambling. Among those who gambled, 78.8% had cravings/urges to gamble, whereas between 20%–27% of gamblers reported perceived relationship, legal, and daily life problems related to gambling, as well as difficulty controlling gambling. A logistic regression analysis revealed that age, recent binge-drinking, and non-partner physical aggression were associated with recent gambling. Conclusions Gambling was associated with binge-drinking and non-partner physical aggression, supporting potential shared characteristics among these behaviors such as impulsivity and risk-taking, which may complicate SUD treatment engagement and effectiveness. Findings support the need for screening for gambling in the VA, and to adapt treatments to include gambling as a potential behavioral target or relapse trigger, particularly among heavy drinking patients.

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Pathological and Problem Gambling among Veterans in Clinical Care: Prevalence, Demography, and Clinical Correlates

Abstract: Veterans in VA care have higher rates of gambling problems than the general adult population. Female and young veterans have rates higher than those observed in other surveys of women and young adults.

Cited by 22 publications

References 21 publications

Gambling problems and the impact of family in UK armed forces veterans

Gambling problems and the impact of family in UK armed forces veterans

Reckless Self‐Destructive Behavior and PTSD in Veterans: The Mediating Role of New Adverse Events

Binge-drinking and non-partner aggression are associated with gambling among Veterans with recent substance use in VA outpatient treatment

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