Predictors of remission from problem and pathological gambling: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC)

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Prior research suggests that racial minority groups in the United States are more vulnerable to develop a gambling disorder than whites. However, no national survey on gambling disorders exists that has focused on ethnic differences.Methods: Analyses of this study were based on the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, a large (N=43,093) nationally representative survey of the adult (≥18 years of age) population residing in house-holds during 2001–2002 period. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition-Text Revision diagnoses of pathological gambling, mood, anxiety, drug use, and personality disorders were based on the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-DSM-IVVersion.Results: Prevalence rates of disordered gambling among blacks (2.2%) and Native/Asian Americans (2.3%) were higher than that of whites (1.2%). Demographic characteristics and psychiatric comorbidity differed among Hispanic, black, and white disordered gamblers. However, all racial and ethnic groups evidenced similarities with respect to symptom patterns, time course, and treatment seeking for pathological gambling.Conclusion: The prevalence of disordered gambling, but not its onset or course of symptoms, varies by racial and ethnic group. These varying prevalence rates may reflect, at least in part, cultural differences in gambling and its acceptability and accessibility. These data may inform the need for targeted prevention strategies for high-risk racial and ethnic groups.

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Differential Associations Between Problem and Pathological Gambling and Psychiatric Disorders in Individuals With and Without Alcohol Abuse or Dependence

CNS Spectrums ◽

10.1017/s1092852900000286 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 33-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Judson A. Brewer ◽

Marc N. Potenza ◽

Rani A. Desai

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Alcohol Abuse ◽

Pathological Gambling ◽

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Alcohol Use Disorders ◽

Group Interactions ◽

Epidemiologic Survey ◽

Prevention And Treatment ◽

Axis I ◽

Nationally Representative

ABSTRACTBackground: Alcohol abuse and/or dependence, alcohol use disorders (AUDs), and problem and/or pathological gambling (PPG) frequently co-occur with each other and other psychiatric disorders. However, prior studies have not investigated the relative influence of AUDs on the associations between PPG and other psychiatric disorders.Methods: Nationally representative data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (n=43,093; United States residents ≥18 years of age) was used to examine the influence of AUDs on the associations between gambling and other psychiatric disorders and behaviors. The main outcome measures were co-occurrence of past-year AUD and Axis I and II disorders and severity of gambling based on the 10 inclusionary diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling.Results: Among non-AUD respondents, increasing gambl ing severity was associated with increasingly elevated odds for the majority of Axis I and II disorders. Among AUD respondents, this pattern was typically not observed. Alcohol-by-gambling-group interactions for PPG were also found and the odds of these disorders was significantly increased in non-AUD respondents with PPG, but either unchanged or significantly lower in AUD respondents with PPG.Conclusions: Gambling-related associations exist with multiple psychiatric disorders, but particularly in those without AUD. These associations have important implications with respect to conceptualization, prevention, and treatment of psychiatric disorders in individuals with gambling and/or AUDs.

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