Problem gambling severity, gambling behavior, substance use, and mental health in gamblers who do and do not use cannabis: Evidence from a Canadian national sample

• Published in: Addictive behaviors Vol. 137; p. 107520
• Main Authors: McGrath, Daniel S., Williams, Robert J., Rothery, Brett, Belanger, Yale D., Christensen, Darren R., el-Guebaly, Nady, Hodgins, David C., Nicoll, Fiona, Shaw, Carrie A., Smith, Garry J., Stevens, Rhys M.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2023
• Subjects: Behavior, Addictive - psychology; Canada - epidemiology; Cannabis; Gambling - epidemiology; Gambling - psychology; Gambling behavior; Gambling disorder; Humans; Marijuana; Mental Health; Problem gambling; Substance use; Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Canada; Substance use; Gambling disorder; Marijuana; Cannabis; Gambling behavior; Problem gambling
• ISSN: 0306-4603; 1873-6327
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107520

•Cannabis use and gambling frequently co-occur; however, this relationship is poorly understood.•Using a large Canadian sample of gamblers, the association between gambling and cannabis was more fully explored.•Among cannabis users, 56.2 % indicated they had used cannabis while gambling in the past 12 months.•Respondents with greater problem gambling severity scores, more hours gambling, and a larger range of gambling activities were more likely endorse using cannabis.•Tobacco use and having experienced significant child abuse were predictors of cannabis use. Cannabis use frequently co-occurs with gambling, and evidence indicates that both acute and chronic cannabis use may influence gambling behavior. The primary aim of the present study was to further contribute to the literature on this relationship by examining data collected from a Canadian national study of gambling. Respondents consisted of 10,054 Canadian gamblers recruited from Leger Opinion’s (LEO) online panel. In this study, gamblers who used cannabis were compared with non-users across a number of gambling as well as demographic and mental health variables. Of the total sample, 25.4 % reported past 12-month cannabis use. Among the 2,553 cannabis-users, 21.3 % reported daily use, and 69.9 % reported using once a month or more. A total of 56.2 % indicated they had used cannabis while gambling in the past 12 months. Bivariate analysis found significant differences between cannabis use and non-use on numerous demographic, mental health, and gambling-related variables. Individuals with greater problem gambling severity scores, more hours gambling, and a larger range of gambling activities were more likely to endorse using cannabis. Hierarchical logistic regression revealed that tobacco use, and having experienced significant child abuse were predictors of cannabis use. Non-use of cannabis was associated with older age, less engagement in online gambling, and being less likely to consume alcohol. The present findings both corroborate previous studies and expand upon the relationship between cannabis and gambling.