The Connection Between Gambling and Alcohol Addiction

The connection between gambling and alcohol use disorder is closely linked, with both conditions often occurring together and worsening each other. Research shows that individuals with gambling addiction are more likely to engage in excessive alcohol use, and the same is true for those struggling with alcohol addiction. Both behaviors share common risk factors and other similarities. Let’s explore the relationship between gambling and alcohol addiction and discuss how these conditions can impact your recovery process.

Similarities Between Gambling and Alcohol Addiction

Gambling and alcohol addiction share several similarities, which contribute to their connection as behavioral health disorders:

Release of Dopamine: Both gambling and alcohol consumption stimulate the brain’s reward system by releasing dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in pleasure and reward. This neurochemical response reinforces the desire to engage in these behaviors as the brain begins to associate gambling and alcohol use with intense feelings of pleasure. Over time, this dopamine-driven reward system contributes to compulsive behavior, making it difficult for individuals to stop despite the negative consequences.
Loss of Control: Another defining characteristic of both addictions is the inability to regulate behavior despite being aware of the damaging consequences. Individuals may continue to gamble or drink excessively, even when they recognize the harm it causes to their health, finances, and relationships. This loss of control stems from the compulsive nature of addiction, where the person may wish to quit but find themselves unable to do so. Over time, this lack of control leads to increasingly harmful patterns, deepening the addiction and making recovery more challenging.
Preoccupation: People with gambling or alcohol addiction often become fixated on their next opportunity to engage in the behavior. This obsession tends to dominate their thoughts, leading them to constantly plan when, where, or how they will gamble or drink. As the addiction progresses, this preoccupation begins to interfere with daily responsibilities such as work, relationships, and self-care. Over time, the person may start to prioritize their addictive behavior over other aspects of life, causing significant disruptions and negatively impacting their overall well-being.
Tolerance and Withdrawal: Similar to substance use disorders, individuals with gambling or alcohol addiction can develop a tolerance, requiring them to gamble more frequently, increase their stakes, or consume larger amounts of alcohol to achieve the same level of satisfaction or excitement. As tolerance builds, the addictive behavior escalates. When attempting to stop, individuals may experience withdrawal symptoms—physical symptoms in the case of alcohol addiction, such as nausea, sweating, and anxiety, or emotional symptoms in gambling, such as irritability, restlessness, and depression. These withdrawal symptoms make it challenging to quit, often driving them back to their harmful behavior for temporary relief.
Negative Consequences: Both addictions lead to profound negative consequences that worsen over time. Financial issues are common, as individuals may accumulate significant debt due to excessive gambling or overspending on alcohol. This financial strain can lead to unpaid bills, bankruptcy, and a loss of savings. The strain on personal relationships is equally damaging—partners, family members, and friends often experience emotional distress, loss of trust, and even separation or divorce. In addition to personal impacts, professional or academic performance usually declines as the addiction takes priority over work or studies, leading to job loss, missed opportunities, or academic failure. Over time, these consequences compound, making recovery even more challenging.
Comorbid Addictions: Alcohol and gambling addictions often coexist, with individuals who struggle with one condition being significantly more likely to develop the other. Research has shown that the odds of being a pathological gambler are about 23 times higher for those who are alcohol-dependent compared to those who are not. Similarly, individuals with gambling disorders are nearly four times more likely to develop alcohol use disorders than those without gambling issues. This comorbidity often arises because both addictions provide temporary relief from emotional distress, anxiety, or stress, but they also reinforce each other, leading to a deeper cycle of dependency.
Coping Mechanisms: Individuals with gambling addiction often turn to alcohol as a way to cope with the emotional distress caused by gambling losses. Alcohol can temporarily numb feelings of anxiety, guilt, or frustration, offering short-term relief but ultimately reinforcing the addictive cycle. This combination makes it harder for individuals to break free from both addictions. On the other hand, people with alcohol use disorders may seek gambling as a form of escapism, particularly in environments where both activities are readily available, such as casinos.

These similarities highlight the complexity of treating gambling and alcohol use disorders, as they often reinforce each other.

Shared Risk Factors

Gambling and alcohol addictions often share common risk factors that contribute to their development and co-occurrence. These factors may increase vulnerability to both disorders, making it more challenging to address one without considering the other.

Genetic Predisposition: Individuals with a family history of addiction are more likely to develop both gambling and alcohol use disorders. Research suggests that genetic vulnerability plays a significant role in increasing susceptibility to these behaviors, as it accounts for around 50% of the risk of developing either addiction.
Impulsivity: People with higher levels of impulsivity are more prone to risky behaviors, including excessive gambling and alcohol intake. This lack of impulse control can lead to a greater likelihood of engaging in addictive activities without considering the consequences.
Emotional Dysregulation: Difficulty managing emotions, such as stress, anxiety, or depression, often leads individuals to gamble or drink as a form of self-medication. This can create a cycle where the addiction worsens emotional health, leading to increased use of both gambling and alcohol as coping mechanisms.
Environmental Factors: Social environments where gambling and alcohol are readily accessible (e.g., casinos, parties, or bars) can increase the likelihood of developing both addictions. These environments often normalize addictive behaviors, making it easier for individuals to justify or hide their dependency.
Social Influences: Peer pressure or behaviors in social groups can play a significant role in developing and sustaining gambling and alcohol addiction. When friends or family members engage in these activities, individuals may feel encouraged to join, which can lead to addictive patterns. Online gambling communities can also promote gambling through shared experiences and success stories, making the behavior seem more acceptable and normal. This reinforcement can contribute to the continuation of gambling addiction.
Trauma or Adverse Life Events: Individuals who have experienced significant emotional distress or trauma may turn to these behaviors as a way to escape or numb their pain. Gambling and alcohol use can provide temporary relief from feelings of anxiety, sadness, or stress, creating a cycle where the person becomes reliant on these behaviors to cope with unresolved emotional issues. Over time, this reliance can lead to the development of addictive patterns.
Mental Health Conditions: Co-occurring mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, significantly increase the risk of developing both gambling and alcohol addictions. Individuals with these conditions may turn to addictive behaviors as a way to cope with or escape their emotional distress. Gambling and alcohol use can offer temporary relief, but they often exacerbate the underlying mental health challenges, creating a cycle of dependency that becomes harder to break.
Gender: Research shows that men are at a higher risk of developing both gambling and alcohol addictions than women. Men are more likely to engage in riskier behaviors associated with these addictions. In the case of alcohol use disorder, men are approximately 1.75 times more likely to be affected than women. Similarly, for gambling addiction, men are about 2.5 times more likely to develop problematic gambling behaviors.

Recognizing these shared risk factors is essential for understanding how gambling and alcohol addiction can develop simultaneously, and addressing both factors in treatment can lead to more effective outcomes.

How Are Gambling and Alcohol Addictions Diagnosed?

Gambling disorder and alcohol use disorder are recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Gambling addiction is categorized as a “Substance-Related and Addictive Disorder,” and alcohol use disorder is categorized as a “Substance Use Disorder.”

Both share similar diagnostic criteria based on behavior patterns, the negative consequences of the addiction, and the impact on a person’s daily life.

Gambling Disorder Diagnosis: Gambling disorder is diagnosed when an individual exhibits problematic gambling behavior that leads to significant distress or impairment. The DSM-5 requires that at least four of the following criteria be met over a 12-month period:

Strong urge to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve excitement.
Becomes irritable or restless when trying to stop gambling activities.
Has unsuccessfully tried to cut back or stop gambling.
Is often preoccupied with gambling.
Gambles when feeling distressed or anxious.
Returns to gambling after losses to try to win back money (“chasing losses”).
Lies to conceal the extent of their gambling involvement.
Jeopardizes important relationships, jobs, or educational opportunities due to gambling.
Relies on others for financial help because of gambling losses.

The severity of gambling disorder is categorized as mild (4-5 criteria), moderate (6-7 criteria), or severe (8-9 criteria).

Alcohol Use Disorder Diagnosis: Alcohol use disorder is diagnosed based on whether an individual meets at least two of the following criteria within a 12-month period:

Consumes more alcohol or for a longer period than intended.
Has been unable to cut down or control alcohol use.
Spends a lot of time obtaining, using, or recovering from alcohol.
Experiences strong cravings to drink.
Fails to meet responsibilities at work, school, or home due to drinking.
Continues drinking despite social or interpersonal problems caused by alcohol.
Stops or reduces important activities due to alcohol use.
Drinks in dangerous situations, such as driving.
Needs more alcohol to achieve the desired effect (tolerance).
Experiences withdrawal symptoms when not drinking.

The severity of AUD is classified similarly: mild (2-3 criteria), moderate (4-5), or severe (6 or more criteria).

Both disorders involve a loss of control, uncontrollable urges, preoccupation with addictive behavior, and tolerance, making them challenging to manage without proper treatment.

Treatment Options for Co-occurring Addictions

Treating co-occurring disorders requires an integrated approach that addresses both disorders at the same time. Here are some effective treatment options:

Integrated Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is highly effective in treating both conditions. It helps individuals recognize the thought patterns and triggers that lead to their addictive behaviors, providing tools to develop healthier coping strategies and prevent relapse.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs: These specialized programs offer integrated care for individuals with both gambling and alcohol addictions. The focus is on treating both disorders simultaneously, as addressing one without the other can lead to relapse or incomplete recovery. Dual diagnosis treatment ensures comprehensive care that leads to long-term wellness.
Support Groups: Support groups like Gamblers Anonymous (GA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provide peer support and accountability. These groups can offer individuals with co-occurring disorders the support they need, helping to create a sense of community.
Family Therapy: Since both addictions can strain family relationships, family therapy works to rebuild trust, improve communication, and create a supportive home environment. Involving family in treatment can strengthen recovery efforts and provide emotional support for both the individual and their loved ones.
Inpatient or Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP): For individuals with severe co-occurring conditions, inpatient or intensive outpatient programs offer comprehensive care, including detoxification, counseling, and long-term aftercare planning. These structured programs provide a safe environment for addressing both addictions, giving individuals the tools they need for sustained recovery.

Addressing both gambling and alcohol addiction together ensures that treatment is holistic and effective, reducing the risk of relapse and fostering a path to long-term recovery.

The Importance of Seeking Professional Help

Seeking professional treatment for co-occurring gambling and alcohol addiction is essential for several reasons. These addictions often reinforce each other, making it more difficult to manage them on your own.

Integrated Treatment: Professional treatment provides a structured, evidence-based approach that addresses both gambling and alcohol addiction simultaneously, increasing the chances of long-term recovery.
Dual Diagnosis Expertise: Healthcare professionals are trained to treat co-occurring conditions, ensuring that underlying mental health challenges such as anxiety or depression are managed alongside addiction.
Tailored Therapy Plans: Professionals assess the severity of each condition and develop personalized treatment plans that involve therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy or holistic therapies, which address the root causes of both addictions.
Support in Crisis: In critical moments, such as withdrawal or relapse, professional care provides immediate support and intervention, helping individuals navigate the most challenging phases of their wellness journey.
Relapse Prevention Tools: By offering tools and strategies for managing triggers and cravings, professional treatment reduces the risk of relapse, supporting individuals in maintaining long-term sobriety from both addictions.
Family and Relationship Support: Therapy can also involve family members, offering support to rebuild trust and address relationship dynamics that the addiction may have impacted.

If you or a loved one is struggling with gambling or alcohol addiction, professional help is key to lasting recovery. Encore Outpatient Services in Arlington, VA, offers tailored treatment programs designed to meet individual needs. With evidence-based therapy, expert support, and compassionate care, Encore guides individuals through their recovery journey. Contact Encore today to take the first step toward a healthier, addiction-free life.