Problem Gambling and Other Addictive Behaviors Among US Military Populations

Session Title

Session 1-1-A: Problem Gambling and Vulnerable Communities, Part 1

Presenters

Shane W. Kraus, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Kris Gunawan, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Joshua B. Grubbs, Bowling Green State UniversityFollow

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation

Location

Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV

Start Date

23-5-2023 10:15 AM

End Date

23-5-2023 11:45 AM

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

The current study evaluated problem gambling and addictive behaviors among a sample of 4,363 US adults. Specifically, we examined how military experience (i.e., active-duty service members, veterans, and civilians) was related to prevalence of problem gambling and other addictive behaviors. Participants were recruited by YouGov Opinion polling and taken from two US samples: a weighted, nationally representative sample adults (N=2,806) and an oversample of sports-wagering individuals (N=1,557). We used the NIDA-Quick Screen and NIDA ASSIST to assess a range of substances and behaviors, as well as to calculate a three month severity score for each behavior. After adjusting for sociodemographics, a series of multinomial logistic regressions revealed that service members status was associated with increased odds of alcohol (Adj OR=2.21), tobacco (Adj OR=1.77), prescription drugs (Adj OR=2.91), illicit drugs (Adj OR=2.07), cannabis (Adj OR=2.72), gambling (Adj OR=2.30), pornography (Adj OR=2.41), and video-game play (Adj OR=2.67) severity relative to civilians. However, veteran status was associated with higher odds for prescription (Adj OR=1.50), cannabis (Adj OR=1.62), and pornography use (Adj OR=1.33) severity compared to civilians. Problem gambling and other addictive behaviors are elevated among US military service members compared to civilians which require further study for the development of effective addiction treatments.

Keywords

Problem gambling, US military, active-duty service members, addictive behaviors

Author Bios

Shane W. Kraus, PhD., is Assistant Professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and the Director of the Behavioral Addictions Lab at UNLV. Dr. Kraus uses behavioral, epidemiological, and neurobiological methods to assess factors that contribute to the development of addictive behaviors among US military veterans. He has published over 140+ scholarly works in substance use, trauma, sexual behavior, and gambling disorder.

Kris Gunawan, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor-in-Residence at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He is a cognitive scientist and statistical consultant. He trains undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of cognitive neuroscience, perception, and teaching.

Joshua Grubbs, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at Bowling Green State University where he studies compulsive sexual behavior disorder, gambling disorder, and personality traits. He is especially interested in the social construction of addiction and understanding what leads people to feel out of control in their behavior. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles on these topics and others.

Funding Sources

International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) and Kindbridge Research Institute. The funding sources had no direct in part on the results and interpretation of the current work.

Competing Interests

During the past 3 years, Shane W. Kraus has received funding from the International Center for Responsible Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies, Taylor Francis, Springer Nature, and UNLV International Gaming Institute, and Kindbridge Research Institute. Dr. Kraus also serves on the Nevada Advisory Council of Problem Gambling in Nevada. In the past 3 years, Kris Gunawan has received funding from the Kindbridge Research Institute. In the past 3 years, Joshua Grubbs has received funding from the International Center for Responsible Gaming, Kindbridge Research Institute, National Institute on Civil Discourse, Conru Foundation, and Charles Koch Foundation.