Half of gambling addicts also have a problem with substance abuse

Half of the 3,000 people in the Irish study had started gambling before the age of 17, but the median age for entering treatment was 34. Stock picture: Graeme Robertson/Getty

Almost half of people seeking treatment for gambling addiction have an associated problem with substance abuse, according to a new Health Research Board study.

It has evaluated the profiles of 3,000 people who received treatment for gambling problems in recent years.