The Relationship Between Problem Gambling and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Recent studies indicate that treatment-seeking problem gamblers display elevated rates of ADHD and that adolescents who screen positive for ADHD are more likely to engage in gambling, develop gambling problems, and experience a greater severity in gambling problems. This study aimed to (a) compare the prevalence of ADHD in treatment-seeking problem gamblers to the general population; (b) investigate the relationships between ADHD and problem gambling severity, cluster B personality disorders, motor impulsivity, alcohol use, substance use, gender, and age; and (c) investigate the degree to which these factors moderate the relationship between ADHD and problem gambling severity. Participants included 214 adults (154 males, 58 females, 2 unspecified) who sought treatment for their gambling problems at a specialist gambling agency in Melbourne, Australia. Almost one-quarter (24.9 %) of treatment-seeking problem gamblers screened positively for ADHD, which was significantly higher than the 14 % prevalence in a community sample. ADHD was significantly positively correlated with problem gambling severity, motor impulsivity, and cluster B personality disorders, but was not associated with alcohol and substance use, gender or age. None of the factors significantly moderated the relationship between ADHD and problem gambling severity. These findings suggest that a considerable proportion of treatment-seeking problem gamblers report ADHD and that their clinical profile is complicated by the presence of high impulsivity and cluster B personality disorders. They highlight the need for specialist gambling agencies to develop screening, assessment, and management protocols for co-occurring ADHD to enhance the effectiveness of treatment.

A Revision of the Relationship between Gambling Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Parkinson´s Disease

“…For instance, a study in Australia (Waluk, Youssef, & Dowling, 2016) reported that 24.9 % of gamblers have also adhd diagnosis. Also, another investigation in a group of gamblers analyzed them by means of different instruments (related to gambling habits and other socio-demographic variables; Romo et al, 2016) and concluded that the existence of adhd results in an augmented level of cognitive distortions.…”

“…An investigation compared the incidence of adhd in medication-requesting problem gamblers and the common population (Waluk et al, 2016). A total of 214 major subjects (27 % women, 72 % men and 1 % non-specified) who were seeking cures for their gambling disorders were analyzed.…”

“…This study proposed that a substantial percentage of alleviation-searching problem gamblers reported adhd, and that their health profile was entangled by the existence of elevated impulsivity and group B personality disease. The authors considered the necessity for clinicians to promote detection, evaluation and treatment arrangements for comorbid adhd to improve the efficiency of therapy (Waluk et al, 2016).…”

“…For instance, a study in Australia explored in a group of gamblers seeking treatment, the relationship between adhd and gambling disorder (n = 214; Waluk et al, 2016). They found that 24.9 % of the participants displayed confirmation for adhd diagnosis, this is remarkably higher than the frequency of the community (14 %; Waluk et al, 2016).…”

“…For instance, a study in Australia explored in a group of gamblers seeking treatment, the relationship between adhd and gambling disorder (n = 214; Waluk et al, 2016). They found that 24.9 % of the participants displayed confirmation for adhd diagnosis, this is remarkably higher than the frequency of the community (14 %; Waluk et al, 2016). This finding warned about considering the higher probability of adhd in gambling disorder patients, and the complications related to the comorbidity of both diagnosis during the screening and treatment stages (Waluk et al, 2016).…”