Persistent adolescent substance use, including cannabis, predicted adult gambling problems
In an Australian cohort of 1,365 people tracked from adolescence to their early 30s, persistent binge drinking, tobacco use, and cannabis use from ages 13-28 all predicted gambling problems at age 31-32.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Persistent cannabis use from adolescence to young adulthood predicted gambling problems in the early 30s (OR 2.30-3.42). Binge drinking and tobacco use in young adulthood also predicted adult gambling. Mental health symptoms (depression, anxiety) were not associated with adult gambling, and no differences were found by sex.
Key Numbers
1,365 participants; 7 waves of data (1998-2014); persistent substance use OR 2.30-3.42 for gambling problems; no sex differences; mental health symptoms not predictive
How They Did This
Prospective multi-wave study analyzing 1,365 participants across seven waves of data collection from 1998-2014, tracking substance use from ages 13-28 and gambling outcomes at ages 31-32.
Why This Research Matters
This is one of the longest running studies to link adolescent substance use patterns to adult gambling problems, suggesting that addictive behaviors in youth may set the stage for different forms of addictive behavior later in life.
The Bigger Picture
The findings support the idea that substance use and gambling may share common underlying vulnerability factors rather than being independent behaviors. Interventions targeting substance use in youth might have unexpected downstream benefits for preventing gambling problems.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Australian sample may not generalize globally. Self-reported substance use and gambling. Attrition across seven waves of data collection. Cannot determine whether substance use directly causes gambling vulnerability.
Questions This Raises
- ?What shared neurobiological or psychological mechanisms link adolescent substance use to adult gambling?
- ?Would early substance use interventions reduce later gambling problems?
- ?Are there specific patterns of cannabis use that are most predictive?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 2.30-3.42x odds of adult gambling with persistent adolescent substance use
- Evidence Grade:
- Long-running prospective cohort with seven data collection waves, though attrition and self-report measures are limitations.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2021 using data from 1998-2014.
- Original Title:
- Adult Gambling Problems and Histories of Mental Health and Substance Use: Findings from a Prospective Multi-Wave Australian Cohort Study.
- Published In:
- Journal of clinical medicine, 10(7) (2021)
- Authors:
- Merkouris, Stephanie S, Greenwood, Christopher J, Youssef, George J(3), Letcher, Primrose, Vassallo, Suzanne, Dowling, Nicki A, Olsson, Craig A
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03343
Evidence Hierarchy
Enrolls participants and follows them forward in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Did cannabis use specifically predict gambling?
Yes. Persistent cannabis use from adolescence through young adulthood was one of the substances that significantly predicted gambling problems at ages 31-32.
Did depression or anxiety predict gambling?
No. Unlike substance use, mental health symptoms during adolescence and young adulthood were not associated with adult gambling problems in this study.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03343APA
Merkouris, Stephanie S; Greenwood, Christopher J; Youssef, George J; Letcher, Primrose; Vassallo, Suzanne; Dowling, Nicki A; Olsson, Craig A. (2021). Adult Gambling Problems and Histories of Mental Health and Substance Use: Findings from a Prospective Multi-Wave Australian Cohort Study.. Journal of clinical medicine, 10(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10071406
MLA
Merkouris, Stephanie S, et al. "Adult Gambling Problems and Histories of Mental Health and Substance Use: Findings from a Prospective Multi-Wave Australian Cohort Study.." Journal of clinical medicine, 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10071406
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Adult Gambling Problems and Histories of Mental Health and S..." RTHC-03343. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/merkouris-2021-adult-gambling-problems-and
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.