Understanding the Overlap Between Gambling and Substance Addiction

Addiction can take many forms, and while we often think first of drugs and alcohol, other compulsions can be just as disruptive and dangerous. Gambling issues and substance abuse may seem different on the surface, but research shows they share common roots, patterns, and consequences. In many cases, they can co-occur, making recovery a more complex consideration. Yet, with the right support, it is still entirely possible to recover fully.

Below, we will explore a little about the overlap between these two forms of addiction, how they often go hand in hand, and what makes someone vulnerable. We will also seek to demonstrate how treatment can help break the cycle for good.

Gambling and Substance Addiction Risk Factors

Addiction does not happen in isolation; whatever the focus of the addiction, there are common risk factors that make someone more vulnerable to developing a behavioral addiction or chemical dependency.

Social and environmental factors

Access is a significant consideration in addiction; easy availability of gambling opportunities, including online or in-person, and widespread access to alcohol or other intoxicants can normalize the problem behavior. Social settings that promote risky choices or downplay their dangers are also aggravating factors. If someone grows up in a home where gambling or substance use is present, their likelihood of becoming addicted increases.

Family history and genetics

Genetic predisposition can also influence vulnerability to addiction. Studies have shown that there may be hereditary components involved.

Mental health conditions

Anxiety, depression, and PTSD, among other mental health issues, can often be found alongside addiction to gambling or substances. These conditions can aggravate emotional distress, which can push individuals to seek relief and distraction through compulsive behaviors. If left untreated, this can become a vicious cycle as indulging in those risk behaviors can deepen a mental health problem that has led to addiction.

Gambling and Substance Addiction Similarities

Despite the differences on the surface, gambling and substance addictions affect the brain in similar ways. Both activate the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and positive reinforcement. Over time, this can create a dependency.

For some, the act of gambling or using drugs or alcohol becomes less about the feeling of reward and more about the avoidance of discomfort or emotional pain. Among the sources of that discomfort, boredom is a documented trigger for addictive behavior. When individuals feel under-stimulated or emotionally numb, engaging in risky behavior offers a sense of escape.

Another shared element between the two kinds of addiction is escalation. Whether it’s increasing stakes in betting or increasing the dosage in substance addiction, the behaviors can intensify over time as an individual builds tolerance and needs to escalate their use to get the same results.

Similarities also include the impact of impulsivity and difficulty with emotional regulation. Individuals will often struggle to assess the consequences of their actions, especially when these are associated with stress, loneliness, or shame.

Impacts of Gambling and Substance Addiction

Addiction has impacts on every area of life, and where gambling and substance use co-occur, the damage can quickly compound. For example:

Personal consequences

Physical health can decline gradually or quickly due to substance abuse, while mental health will also worsen due to increased stress, anxiety, and guilt. Each of these can be aggravated by financial or relational issues.

Family impacts

Loved ones will often bear some share of the emotional or financial burden of an individual’s addiction. Trust may erode, and communication can break down. As a result, the home can become defined by stress and instability.

Social consequences

Many people with addictions isolate themselves through shame or secrecy. Over time, the outcome is that support networks dwindle, pushing the chance of recovery further out of reach.

Financial consequences

Gambling, by its very nature, puts finances at risk. When layered with the potential risks to and instability of employment caused by substance abuse, individuals can find themselves in significant economic hardship.

Ways to Deal with Substance Addiction and Gambling Issues

It may sound cliché, but the first step in recovery is always recognizing that there is a problem. While this can be difficult, it is a critical part of the process. As hard as it is, once a person acknowledges the issue, they can begin to build new patterns in the knowledge that this is their way out of the depths of addiction. The process of building these patterns includes:

• Making lifestyle changes that reduce their exposure to temptation, including removing themselves from spaces where they may be encouraged to gamble or abuse substances
• Developing new routines that support their emotional and physical well-being
• Establishing financial protections, up to and including turning over the control of their finances to a person they trust
• Seeking professional help through therapy, support groups, formal addiction treatment, or some combination of all of these

Above all, it is of major importance that a person with addiction problems should not feel that they have to seek recovery alone.

Residential Treatment for Addiction

Residential treatment can offer a structured environment that addresses co-occurring behavioral and substance addictions. Unlike outpatient care, residential treatment removes people from their ongoing triggers, offering space to reflect, heal, and learn new ways to cope. Residential treatment can provide:

• Regular individual and group therapy
• Supportive medical and mental health care
• Nutritional guidance, wellness routines, and mindfulness
• Support staff who understand the complexities of addiction

Through a residential treatment program at Jackson House Recovery Centers, both gambling and substance abuse can be treated in tandem, increasing the chance of long-term success for residents. In addition to providing an environment for treatment and understanding, Jackson House Recovery Centers also offers aftercare services to keep the risk of relapse at bay as individuals transition back into daily life.

Getting Help at Jackson House Recovery Centers

Addiction can feel isolating, which in turn can deepen the dependency on gambling and substances. It’s important to realize you aren’t alone. At Jackson House Recovery Centers, we provide compassionate, evidence-based treatment for a broad spectrum of addictions. If you or someone you care about is struggling, please reach out to our team today. We’re here to help.