NCJ Number
191145
Journal
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Volume: 40 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2001 Pages: 1324-1331
Date Published
November 2001
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study examined the prevalence and correlates of problem gambling among 255 adolescents in Philadelphia and Hartford, CT, who abused marijuana.
Abstract
The participants entered treatment for marijuana abuse between 1998 and 2000. The data collection instrument was the Global Assessment of Individual Needs. Results revealed that 22 percent of the youths experienced gambling problems. The problem gamblers were more likely than the others to be male, Black, and living in single-parent homes. Multivariate general linear models compared the two groups with respect to psychosocial problems after controlling for age, gender, and race. Results revealed differences in drug use severity, legal difficulties, psychiatric problems, and risk behaviors related to AIDS. Problem gamblers reported a greater frequency of overall drug and alcohol use and a greater intensity of marijuana use than did their counterparts without gambling problems. Problem gamblers also had more illegal activity and greater physical and anxiety symptoms, as well as higher levels of victimization and more recent sexual partners. Findings suggested that problem gambling is common in youths who abuse marijuana and that these problem gamblers also have increased psychosocial problems. Findings suggested the need for early identification and treatment of problem gambling in drug-abusing adolescents. Tables and 44 references (Author abstract modified)