Increase in Gambling Addiction Treatment

Rising Numbers in Treatment

The number of people seeking treatment for gambling addiction is on the rise again after several years of decline. According to the Healthcare Information Provision Foundation (Stichting Informatievoorziening Zorg, IVZ), almost 2,500 people were treated for gambling addiction in 2023. This is a 24% increase compared to 2022.

Consistent Reporting Centers

Although more institutions are now providing data, the IVZ states that the increase is not solely due to this. Even among the centers that have consistently provided data over the years, there was a 15% rise in the number of people seeking treatment.

Online Gambling Concerns

The IVZ report highlights inadequate registration of where people have gambled. However, there is a noticeable increase in online gambling among those whose gambling locations were recorded. Most of the people treated were men (88%), and 17% of them were under 25 years old.

First-Time Treatment

Of those who started treatment for gambling addiction last year, about 46% were receiving organized care for the first time. This rate was higher than for any other form of addiction, according to the IVZ.

Broader Addiction Treatment Trends

In 2023, a total of 65,000 people were in addiction care, an increase of 4,000 from 2022. This increase is partly due to more institutions providing data.

Alcohol addiction remains the most treated addiction, accounting for 45% of cases. This is followed by cannabis (15%), opiates, and cocaine, each at 12%. The IVZ also noted a rise in people seeking help for addictions to drugs like Ketamine and 3-MMC.