Gambling behaviors associated with problem gambling among patients in treatment for substance use disorder
- 1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences University of California, San Francisco San Francisco California USA
- 2Division of Prevention Sciences, School of Medicine University of California, San Francisco San Francisco California USA
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Problem gambling impacts substance use disorder (SUD) treatment outcomes. To support early intervention, this study investigated gambling behaviors associated with problem gambling among SUD patients.
Methods: Patients (N = 593) from 19 residential SUD treatment facilities in California were surveyed about gambling behaviors and services. Patients identified as “problem gamblers” screened positive for gambling disorder or reported gambling behaviors at high risk for progression to gambling disorder. Multivariate regression analyses compared problem gamblers to nonproblem gamblers on specific gambling behaviors and receipt of gambling services.
Results: Of the total sample, 223 (37.6%) gambled in the past year. Among past‐year gamblers, those meeting problem gambling criteria (n = 106) were more likely than nonproblem gamblers to endorse betting on “games of skill” including cards (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.46, 3.78) and participating in online/electronic gambling (AOR = 5.61, 95% CI = 2.27, 13.88) and casino games (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.42, 3.72). Patients with problem gambling reported more gambling activity types than nonproblem gamblers (mean difference = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.59, 2.05). Only 35% of patients with problem gambling received gambling services from the SUD treatment program.
Discussion and Conclusions: Specific gambling behaviors increase risk of problem gambling for SUD patients. SUD treatment programs should screen for and address problem gambling.
Scientific Significance: SUD patients may have lower risk thresholds for gambling disorder. This study provides new data on specific behaviors associated with problem gambling among SUD patients.
Related
- Early Dating Behaviors and Problematic Substance Use in Adolescence
- Patients' experiences of and adherence to supervised high-intensity physical training integrated into specialised treatment for substance use disorders: study protocol for a qualitative collaborative health services study of facilitators and barriers.
- Identification of pleiotropic genes and biological mechanisms underlying the shared genetic component between asthma, neuropsychiatric disorders, and substance use behaviors
- Treatment patterns and prognostic factors of radiation-associated esophageal fistula in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a retrospective cohort study
- Factors Associated with Patient Interest in a Digital Exercise and Mind–Body Program for Patients Undergoing Active Cancer Treatment: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial
BibTeX
@article{pagano2026gambling,
title = {{Gambling behaviors associated with problem gambling among patients in treatment for substance use disorder}},
author = {Anna Pagano and Nadra E. Lisha and Jennifer T. Le and Caravella McCuistian},
journal = {The American Journal on Addictions},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1111/ajad.70203},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.70203},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Gambling behaviors associated with problem gambling among patients in treatment for substance use disorder
AU - Anna Pagano
AU - Nadra E. Lisha
AU - Jennifer T. Le
AU - Caravella McCuistian
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/27
JO - The American Journal on Addictions
DO - 10.1111/ajad.70203
UR - https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.70203
AB - Background and Objectives: Problem gambling impacts substance use disorder (SUD) treatment outcomes. To support early intervention, this study investigated gambling behaviors associated with problem gambling among SUD patients. Methods: Patients (N = 593) from 19 residential SUD treatment facilities in California were surveyed about gambling behaviors and services. Patients identified as “problem gamblers” screened positive for gambling disorder or reported gambling behaviors at high risk for progression to gambling disorder. Multivariate regression analyses compared problem gamblers to nonproblem gamblers on specific gambling behaviors and receipt of gambling services. Results: Of the total sample, 223 (37.6%) gambled in the past year. Among past‐year gamblers, those meeting problem gambling criteria (n = 106) were more likely than nonproblem gamblers to endorse betting on “games of skill” including cards (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.46, 3.78) and participating in online/electronic gambling (AOR = 5.61, 95% CI = 2.27, 13.88) and casino games (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.42, 3.72). Patients with problem gambling reported more gambling activity types than nonproblem gamblers (mean difference = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.59, 2.05). Only 35% of patients with problem gambling received gambling services from the SUD treatment program. Discussion and Conclusions: Specific gambling behaviors increase risk of problem gambling for SUD patients. SUD treatment programs should screen for and address problem gambling. Scientific Significance: SUD patients may have lower risk thresholds for gambling disorder. This study provides new data on specific behaviors associated with problem gambling among SUD patients.
SN - 1055-0496
SN - 1521-0391
ER -