The Link Between Alcoholism and Compulsive Gambling
Posted on 04. Sep, 2009 by Problem Gambling in Addiction News
Research shows that there is a strong link between alcoholism and gambling addiction; in fact, in 2001, researchers from the University of Buffalo found that the 1-2% of Americans that have a gambling problem are much more likely to be alcoholics than the average person.
“If you have an alcohol problem, the odds of also having a gambling problem are 23 times higher, compared to individuals who do not have an alcohol problem. That’s a really huge odds ratio,” said lead researcher John Welte, PhD.
The study revealed a significantly higher rate of gambling addiction among African-Americans (3.7%) and Hispanic-Americans (4.2%) than with Caucasian Americans (0.5%). Also, gambling addiction was found to be a more common problem among people with lower incomes. Although rates of alcoholism were not as varied by race or social status, the people with gambling problems were still more likely to struggle with alcoholism.
The connection between the addictions seems to have roots in genetic wiring. A 2002 issue of Psychiatric News reported that a propensity toward alcohol addiction could result in compulsive gambling. It tells the story of a man whose parents were both alcoholics, giving him a strong inclination toward the disease. However, instead of becoming an alcoholic, the man ended up with a gambling problem. The same disposition seems to result in either type of addiction.
David Gorelick, M.D., a psychiatrist at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, has reported that many studies have been performed on the link between alcoholism and pathological gambling and that there is plenty of scientific evidence supporting the idea that both illnesses stem from the same vulnerability.
Gorelick also pointed out the striking similarity in the way both addictions manifest themselves. A person addicted to either alcohol or gambling is constantly preoccupied with the behavior, and turns to the addiction more when under stress. As time goes on, increasing amounts of the behavior are needed for him to feel satisfied. Finally, when he takes a break from the behavior or attempts to quit, he experiences withdrawal symptoms.
While it may seem that all addictions stem from the same genetic predisposition, or a basic “addictive personality,” some addictions appear to be more related than others. For example, some studies have demonstrated a connection between alcohol dependence, pathological gambling, and compulsive buying. However, there does appear to be such a link between those addictions and sexual addictions, which may be more related to childhood abuse.
With casinos serving free drinks while their patrons gamble, it’s easy to see how one addictive behavior could lead to the other. Such environments are designed to support the addictions and profit from them, so it is wise for a person with any history of addictive behavior to avoid them altogether. A person suffering with either alcoholism, compulsive gambling, or both can find help at Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Gamblers Anonymous (GA).
