In terms of pathology, gambling and drug use (illicit or otherwise) are more closely linked to each other than mental illness.saynta wrote: ↑Sat 29 Jun 2019 5:55pmMental health and drugs are far more related although compulsive gambling can be a problem in a small percentage of cases, in my experience.Scollop wrote: ↑Sat 29 Jun 2019 5:09pmMental health and gambling issues are also often related. It's a problem across our general population as well as within football circles. It's up to our leaders in society/government/business groups to ensure that young people are educated and that we regulate. And I don't mean self regulation either.Toy Saint wrote: ↑Sat 29 Jun 2019 3:04pmIn general society 'mental health' and 'drug issues' are often relatedEnrico_Misso wrote: ↑Sat 29 Jun 2019 12:54am Is "mental health issues" the new-age code for "drug issues"?
There is a strong suggestion that at least one player (at another club) who has missed matches because of "mental health issues" actually has a drug problem.
Is this a cloak clubs now employ to hide drug related issues?
On the subject of the public being given information about players, I don't think it's the best option for player's welfare and it is probably breach of privacy as well. Clubs do a pretty good job with management of drug and gambling problems and I think it's in their interest to ensure that players are in a good frame of mind so that they can perform on the field at their best
Education and prevention strategies are the key.
They absolutely can be a by product of mental illness e.g. ppl with mental illness may be more susceptible or more willing (or even more likely) to turn to these behaviours or the behaviours can be a big trigger towards developing mental illness e.g. a problem gambler can become depressed or a drug user can develop Schizophrenia.
Instances where the person has a mental illness and an addiction to either drugs (including alcohol), or gambling, or both, the risk profile increases exponentially.
Someone with a predisposition to psychosis that heavily uses drugs (ongoingly) will almost always develop Schizophrenia.
Someone that is depressed and prone to more impulsive tendencies, if they begin to gamble, more often than not will lose a lot and they’re amongst the most high risk, people in the community. These are the people that tend to successfully (hate that word in this context) complete suicide the most.
That type of case is however, as you say, less prevalent