NCJ Number
152105
Journal
Journal of Adolescence Volume: 17 Issue: 5 Dated: (October 1994) Pages: 491-498
Date Published
1994
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Data taken from a larger British study of cross-addictions involving gambling revealed that 16 agencies reported that gambling with fruit machines was specifically associated with some form of drug abuse, particularly solvent abuse, among both adolescents and adults.
Abstract
The research was conducted in March and April 1989, when 456 letters were sent to all drug treatment agencies in England requesting information regarding cross-addictions to gambling. Responses came from 196 agencies. Sixteen agencies reported that fruit machine gambling was associated with some form of psychoactive substance abuse. Nine of the 16 agencies reported cross-addictions involving solvent abuse and fruit machine gambling. Despite the severe limitations of the data collected, which involved a mixture of specific records, personal observations, and anecdotal evidence, little doubt exists that these behaviors occur in some individuals, mainly male adolescents, although only an insignificant minority is probably involved. Table and 14 references (Author abstract modified)