Gambling addiction increases the risk of suicide

By Staff Writer

Gambling addiction may not only be bad for individuals’ finances. A new study published in a recent issue of the Psychology of Addictive Behaviors found that gambling addicts who fail to seek treatment from rehab facilities also face a significantly higher risk of suicide.

The findings support anecdotal evidence which has suggested that problem gamblers are likely to struggle with depressive symptoms. Recently, an Australian woman killed herself after reportedly being unable to quit her addiction to slot machines, according to Australia’s ABC News.

For the study, researchers from the University of Montreal examined 122 cases of suicide. After reviewing medical records and interviewing the victims’ family members, researchers determined that 49 of the individuals who committed suicide had a history of problem gambling.

Researchers also noted that the individuals who bet excessively also had a higher risk of personality disorders. The confluence of these two conditions may significantly elevate the risk of suicide.

With the help of rehabilitation facilities, gambling addiction can be extremely difficult to overcome. Researchers said that the condition can perpetuate itself when individuals try to solve the financials problems that were caused by gambling by continuing to bet.