Veterans

Overview

Research suggests that veterans may be at an increased risk for developing gambling problems.

Veterans may use gambling as a way to deal with the difficulty of readjusting to civilian life, turn to gambling as a way to relieve boredom and social isolation, and escape from the monotony of ordinary civilian life. Veterans may also use gambling to cope with stress or bad feelings about lack of employment and/or bad memories of military duties. Additionally, gambling may be a way to cope with trauma and deal with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and/or anxiety (which are high among the veteran population). Finally, veterans may turn to gambling to help supplement their income or for social reasons.

Key Points

Although typically seen as a male problem, research suggests that female veterans may be at an increased risk of gambling compared to males. Additionally, older veterans may be at an increased risk for disordered gambling compared to younger veterans.

White Paper

GREO's white paper, Gambling Among the Military and Veterans, gives a more detailed overview of the importance of screening for problem gambling for military personnel, the unique challenges of problem gambling for this population, and recommendations for treatment and future research.

Search the Evidence Centre for Veterans

References

Edens, E. L., & Rosenheck, R. A. (2012). Rates and correlates of pathological gambling among VA mental health service users. Journal of Gambling Studies,28(1), 1-11.

Hall, T. C. (2013). Compulsive Gambling. The VVA Veteran Online. Retrieved from http://vvaveteran.org/33-3/33-3_ptsd.html

Kausch, O. (2004). Pathological gambling among elderly veterans. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, 17(1), 13-19.

Volberg, R. A., & McNeilly, D. (2003). Gambling and problem gambling among seniors in Florida. Maitland: Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling.

Westermeyer, J., Canive, J., Thuras, P., Oakes, M., & Spring, M. (2013). Pathological and Problem Gambling among Veterans in Clinical Care: Prevalence, Demography, and Clinical Correlates. The American Journal on Addictions, 22(3), 218-225.