This study aims to analyse the co-occurrence of gambling activity and the consumption of addictive substance, such as tobacco, alcohol and drugs. By using a sample of 709 gamblers in Sardinia (Italy), a multivariate probit approach is proposed since it allows to study simultaneously the extent of correlation between the consumption of different substances. Our findings document that on the one hand betting more money leads to an increase in the propensity to consume tobacco in the middle of the game, and on the other hand the simultaneous co-occurrence of smoking, alcohol and drugs drives up the probability to get more involved in gambling activity. Knowing the positive reinforcing effects of addictive substances is the first step in order to implement the most effective prevention and treatment modalities for problem/pathological gamblers.
The bi-directional relationship between gambling and addictive substances
DETOTTO, CLAUDIO
2015-01-01
Abstract
This study aims to analyse the co-occurrence of gambling activity and the consumption of addictive substance, such as tobacco, alcohol and drugs. By using a sample of 709 gamblers in Sardinia (Italy), a multivariate probit approach is proposed since it allows to study simultaneously the extent of correlation between the consumption of different substances. Our findings document that on the one hand betting more money leads to an increase in the propensity to consume tobacco in the middle of the game, and on the other hand the simultaneous co-occurrence of smoking, alcohol and drugs drives up the probability to get more involved in gambling activity. Knowing the positive reinforcing effects of addictive substances is the first step in order to implement the most effective prevention and treatment modalities for problem/pathological gamblers.
I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
