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. 1998 Jul;88(7):1093-6.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.88.7.1093.

Taking chances: problem gamblers and mental health disorders--results from the St. Louis Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study

R M Cunningham-Williams  1 , L B Cottler, W M Compton 3rd, E L Spitznagel
Affiliations

Taking chances: problem gamblers and mental health disorders--results from the St. Louis Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study

R M Cunningham-Williams et al. Am J Public Health. 1998 Jul.

Erratum in

  • Am J Public Health 1998 Sep;88(9):1407

Abstract

Objectives: This study determined prevalence estimates of problem gambling and relationships to other psychiatric and substance use disorders.

Methods: In 1981, the Diagnostic Interview Schedule was used to collect epidemiological information on problem gambling and other disorders from 3004 adults in St. Louis, Mo.

Results: The lifetime prevalence of pathological gambling was 0.9%; 46% of those surveyed gambled recreationally. Problem gamblers (those reporting at least one gambling-related problem) were 9.2% of the sample and were predominately White (69%), male (78.2%), and young than nongamblers. They were at increased risk for several psychiatric diagnoses, especially for antisocial personality disorder, alcoholism, and tobacco dependence.

Conclusions: Clinicians treating alcoholism and tobacco dependence may need to screen for problem gambling. Additional research in the context of increased gambling opportunities is needed.

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