The Cross-Addiciton

A good deal of evidence supports the idea that chemical dependency and compulsive gambling are related.

This is called cross-addiction.

Research studies involving members of Gamblers Anonymous and compulsive gamblers in treatment have found that between 47 and 52 percent of these gamblers have had a serious chemical addiction (usually alcohol) at some point in their lives and frequently for a long period of time.

In addition, studies of people receiving in-patient treatment for alcohol and other drug addiction have found that between 9 and 14 percent are compulsive gamblers.

A Canadian study provides different evidence of a link between gambling and other addictions.

This study of 2,016 adults found that heavy gamblers were more likely to binge drink and smoke than were light and moderate gamblers or non-gamblers.

Compulsive gamblers have a high incidence of insomnia, intestinal disorders, migraine headaches, and other stress related disorders.

Studies of members of Gamblers Anonymous have found an especially high incidence of depression--- between 70 and 76 percent have been diagnosed as suffering from depression by a mental health professional at some time in their lives.

Whether they gamble to relieve depression (as the DSM-IV criteria suggest) or whether depression is a result of their gambling (indebtedness, marital conflicts, job loss) is an unresolved issue.

In many respects, compulsive gambling is a hidden addiction.

Few members of GA reported that they were referred to GA by a mental health professional. Those who have been treated by psychiatrists, psychologists, and other counselors for mental health problems reported that they were rarely asked about their gambling behavior.

Although compulsive gambling is similar to chemical dependency in many ways, it is much more difficult to detect because there are no physical signs as there are with addiction to alcohol or other drugs.

You can't smell compulsive gambling on someone's breath. A compulsive gambler's eyes don't dilate. Dice, chips, and cards don't leave marks on the gambler's arms.

Compulsive gambling doesn't make you walk funny, stagger, and fall down in a stupor the way excessive alcohol consumption can.

Studies of GA members also have found that between 13 to 24 percent have attempted suicide because of their gambling problems.

This attempted suicide rate is six times higher than that of the general population. A survey of 162 GA members found that 13 percent had attempted suicide and an additional 21 percent had considered it.

It is significant that the suicide rate in Nevada is the highest of any state in the contry and about three times the national average.