There are many factors that can contribute to a gambling addiction, but these are some pretty big ones... 

- Gamblers are 18 times more likely to have severe psychological distress
- 4.3 times more likely to show alcohol abuse
- 2.4 times more likely to be depressed
- 11 times less likely to be able to call on friends, family, or neighbors when they need help, versus nongamblers
- 5.6 times more likely to be divorced than nongamblers
- 9 times more likely to be living with a community

11 times less likely... that's a big number.  Those of us with friends and family who are gamblers need to be more of a support because it sounds like it's one of the biggest factors.  It's easy to just stay mad at an addict, but that's only contributing to their behavior... why not be a healthy influence on someone's life?

It kind of seems like gambling causes many of these too. Any addiction really can. It's scary to think about actually.

9 times more likely to be living in a comunity? what kind of community?

5.6 times more likely to be divorced... I believe this one and I thought it would be a higher number. Gambling would be a very big issue in a marriage. Even if its in a relationship it could be a big issue. Especially those wives that gamble up all their life savings and even their and their husbands retirement money.