ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND GAMBLING IN THE ONTARIO ADULT-POPULATION, 1994

Objective: To demonstrate the link between gambling, alcohol and drug problems among Ontario adults and to present information on the relati onship between expenditures on gambling and type of gambling with gamb ling problems. Method: Using data collected in a 1994 telephone survey of 2,016 randomly chosen Ontario adults, gambling problems are relate d to the CAGE scale of alcohol problems and the ICD-10 measure of alco hol dependence, as well as smoking, other drug use, and demographic va riables. Descriptive tables based on crosstabulations and means are pr ovided, as well as a series of 9 logistic regression models. Results: The most significant predictor of gambling problems was the amount spe nt on gambling in the preceding 30 days, with alcohol dependence on th e ICD-10 scale and age also important predictors. Lottery players, com pared to other gamblers, are more likely to be male, relatively less a ffluent, older on average, more likely to report alcohol problems (but not dependence) and be currently smoking. Conclusions: The results ma ke clear that heavy drinking and drinking problems are associated with higher levels of spending on gambling and reports of gambling problem s. This leads to the suggestion that treatment programs for those with gambling, alcohol or other drug problems should assess that possiblit y of comorbidity, since the presence of more than one of these problem s can significantly affect the success of treatment and contribute to relapse.