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County-specific suicide statistics tied directly to gambling problems are not publicly reported; these trends have been documented at the state and national levels. While many individuals are aware of the risks of overdose, withdrawal and death that may ensue from a drug or alcohol addiction, many are less aware of the fatal nature of gambling.
Of all the various forms of addiction, gambling addiction has the highest rates of suicide. Studies have found problem gamblers are 15 times more likely to take their own life than an average individual, and 1 in 5 individuals with a gambling addiction attempt suicide. Studies have found between 17% and 39% of those with gambling problems have suicidal thoughts, with up to 30% reporting suicide attempts.
What these reports are unable to show are the thousands of people transported weekly from other states to gambling casinos in North Carolina. Studies are compiled within the state; thus, we have no real idea of the impact it has on thousands of others who do not live in North Carolina. Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy is one of three in North Carolina.
What we do know is the risk of suicide increases with the severity of a person’s gambling problems. In addition, gamblers may also struggle with other issues, such as substance abuse and mental health conditions, which can further increase their suicide risk.
Recent research from East Carolina University indicates a 79% increase in calls to the state’s Problem Gambling Hotline since sports betting was legalized in March 2024, with 34% of those calls from people seeking help for a gambling disorder. What it doesn’t show is the increase in calls from gambling at casinos.
Gambling is addictive because it triggers the brain’s reward system, leading to a cycle of dopamine release and craving, much like drugs, alcohol and sex. This cycle is reinforced by the unpredictable nature of winning and losing, the emotional “high” of excitement, and psychological factors like the illusion of control or near-misses.
Gambling can lead to serious harm to health. These include financial stress, relationship breakdown, family violence, mental illness and suicide.
The legacy of gambling harm can endure throughout one’s life and be transmitted intergenerationally.
Rural areas like Cherokee County often face challenges related to the accessibility of mental health and substance abuse services, which can be barriers to getting help for gambling problems. In Cherokee County, as in other rural parts of North Carolina, the connection between gambling problems and suicide risk is a serious concern, though no specific local statistics are reported.
1-800-GAMBLER: A free, confidential, 24-hour helpline offering immediate crisis counseling.
Dr. Herb Clark of Murphy is an expert in the field of addiction with 33 years of experience. He served on the N.C. Professional Practice board, adjunct professor for two universities and was a U.S. Marine serving 25 years, through two wars and three conflicts traveling the world, seeing the effects of addiction firsthand worldwide. Send questions or comments to him at hypno321@hotmail.com.