Veterans are Seven Times More Likely to Develop Gambling Addiction
In the first study of its kind looking into the correlation between gambling and British ex-military, result have revealed that British veterans are actually seven times more likely to suffer from gambling related harm, compared to non-ex-military.
The study was carried out by Swansea University and co-investigated by Justyn Rees Larcombe, an ex-serviceman who also suffered from gambling addiction in the past. He also wants to highlight the issues and links between the mental health of those coming out of the Armed Forces and the connection to gambling.
Study Findings
The study interviewed 1037 ex-military personal and 1148 non-military members of the public but who had the same age and genders. The results were quite shocking and forged a connection between post-traumatic stress and anxiety, and gambling related harm. From those questioned, 26% of veterans showed signs of, or developed post-traumatic stress disorder. The same number of veterans also developed signs of problem gambling or developed a gambling addiction.
It also revealed that that 60% of ex-military suffered from anxiety compared to 30% of non-veterans. Then 70% of veterans said they’d suffered with depression compared to 50% of non-veterans.
Coping with Stress and Anxiety
With veterans more likely to suffer from anxiety, stress and depression, they were therefore more likely to turn to gambling as a way to try and relieve those symptoms. As a result, they were seven times more likely to develop gambling addiction or suffer from gambling related harm. Veterans were also more likely to turn to smoking or drinking compared to non-ex-military.
Educational Programmes
Justyn Rees Larcombe was keen to point out the dangers of developing gambling addiction, especially among ex-military. He himself developed a gambling addiction which nearly ruined his life. After leaving the military he racked up debts of £70,000 and wants to warn other veterans of the dangers. Part of this would include developing educational programmes for the Armed Forces and carrying out regular screening for gambling addition in an attempt to stop them developing problem gambling when they leave.
