Over a year ago, the Kindbridge Research Institute (KRI) launched the Colorado Military Veterans Project. The intent of the state-supported project is to study problem gambling within the military veterans community, among cooccurring mental health concerns. Armed with a better understanding of what veterans are going through, KRI, together with Kindbridge Behavioral Health, will see even greater success in the corresponding Colorado Military Veterans Recovery Program. You can view more about the Colorado Military Veterans Project here and find out how to take advantage of FREE therapy for veterans in the Centennial State right here. The purpose of today’s article, is to instead share initial data and key findings uncovered by Kindbridge. Let’s have a look at veteran mental health statistics regarding problem gambling and cooccurring conditions below.
Evolving Statistics Regarding Military Veteran Mental Health as it Relates to Gambling Disorder in 2024
Problem Gambling Among Most Common Conditions for Veterans
Prior research has uncovered concerning data regarding problem gambling among members of the military:
Rate of problem gambling among military is 3.5 times higher than among civilians
Rate of problem gambling among military is 68.6% compared with 18.7% among civilians
Initial findings from KRI’s Colorado Military Veterans Project mirror concerning statistics:
46% of Veterans in the Study Struggle with Problem Gambling (male)
Veteran Mental Health Statistics Point to Cooccurring Conditions
Mental health conditions that are known to cooccur with gambling disorder (GD) is one of the most frequently covered topics on the Kindbridge blog. The KRI study took a deep dive into the mental health and wellbeing of veterans, and unveiled the following clinically diagnosed conditions that cooccur with GD in the studied population:
Major depression and suicidality (55%) is the most prevalent comorbidity, with a higher percentage in males
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is found in 49% of veterans with GD, with a slightly higher incidence in males
Inattention/hyperactivity/impulsivity affects 45% of veterans with GD, equally among males and females
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder affects 42% of the veteran population with GD, with a higher prevalence among males
Social phobia and Irritability Index evident in 35% of veterans, with social phobia being higher in males and irritability being higher in females
Suicide warning makes up 24% of comorbidity, with a slightly higher proportion of male cases
Alcohol and tobacco abuse/use each affects 20% of the veteran population with GD, with alcohol abuse being more common in males and tobacco use equally distributed across genders
Manic episodes are demonstrated in 20% of veterans with GD, with a higher prevalence among men
Panic (14%) and learning disabilities (10%) are evident in veterans with GD. Panic disorder is equally distributed and learning disabilities are slightly more common in females
What Do These Veteran Mental Health Statistics Tell America?
Initial data confirms a complex interplay between problem gambling and a number of mental health issues in military veterans. Corroborating this relationship emphasizes the importance of an integrated treatment approach that addresses both gambling behaviors and comorbid psychiatric conditions. While the importance of immediate intervention varies by condition/disorder, none is more critical than suicidality. Current problem gambling suicide statistics indicate that America is already facing a crisis. When you factor in the various mental and behavioral health issues faced by our cherished veterans, the call to action becomes clear.
If you or a loved one is an active serviceperson or a veteran, and are concerned about your/their mental health, please reach out via the contacts provided below to speak to a Kindbridge care coordinator right away.
*Remember, veteran residents of Colorado qualify for FREE counseling and therapy through the Colorado Military Veterans Project.
Concerned About Your Mental Health and Relationship with Gambling?
CALL +1 (877) 426-4258
OR
Email [email protected]
