Laura Taouchanov (in Dublin) 10:02 a.m., 12 March 2023, amended to 10:03 a.m., 12 March 2023
A new addiction is worrying the Irish authorities: gambling associated with taking cocaine is increasingly common among young people, according to a recent study by the Institute for Economic and Social Research.
Since 2015, the number of addicted gamers has quadrupled among 17-20 year olds.
Europe 1 went to the clinic at Smarmore Castle.
REPORTING
A combo that wreaks havoc.
The Irish authorities are concerned about a new practice: that of taking cocaine, associated with gambling.
A study by the Institute for Economic and Social Research reveals that since 2015, the number of addicted gamers has quadrupled among 17-20 year olds.
There are also more and more women.
In some drug treatment centers, there is talk of a 20-fold increase in the number of addicts.
To report on this scourge, Europe 1 went to the clinic in Smarmore Castle, Ireland.
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"I came here thinking I was going to kill myself if it didn't work out."
The hands of James, a 37-year-old policeman, shake a lot when he talks about his ten years of gambling addiction. "I bet 16 hours a day in my room, without contact with the outside world. money or I'll kill myself. I lost two or three girlfriends because of the Games. My life was chaotic," he says.
Compulsive gamblers are often disinhibited with cocaine and those who push the door of the clinic are also younger and younger, remarks Keith Cassidy, the chief psychologist.
"25 years ago, betting houses were not even allowed to open on Sundays. There is also a proliferation of games on the Internet. With this kind of addiction, you can play secretly for a very long time , before the relatives realize a problem”, details the doctor.
The legislation has hardly changed since 1956. There is therefore very little regulation on advertising, especially for online games.