Who Engages in Simultaneous Gambling and Alcohol Use, and Why? A Mixed-Method Study.

Abstract

Although previous studies have established the robust concurrent use of alcohol and gambling (i.e., using alcohol and gambling within a similar time period, but not together), there is a scarcity of empirical research focusing on the simultaneous use of alcohol while gambling (i.e., using alcohol while gambling). The wider substance use literature posits that the simultaneous use of substances is associated with increased severity of harm over concurrent use as well as greater social and behavioural consequences (Cummings et al., Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 51:351-359, 2019). The present study examined the psychological impact, mental health variables, and motives of simultaneously using alcohol on gambling behaviours in a sample of Canadian adults (N = 390). Participants who used alcohol while gambling were significantly more likely to endorse various facets of impulsivity, but specifically lack of premeditation. They were also more likely to gamble for enhancement and social reasons, and more likely to endorse greater alcohol use severity compared to those who did not. Interestingly, financial motives were a negative predictor, suggesting that people who gamble for financial reasons are less likely to engage in simultaneous alcohol use. The top reported reasons for using alcohol while gambling were to elicit positive emotions, to relax, and due to social circumstances. These findings corroborate previous work investigating simultaneous substance use and have potential implications for both policy and harm minimization by providing insight into the motivations for simultaneous gambling and alcohol use, and the greater harms resulting from simultaneous use.