Can Gambling Addiction Be Cured?

The distinction matters. A cure suggests the problem disappears completely, while recovery means ongoing management with the real possibility of living a full, gambling-free life.

Research shows that with evidence-based treatment, many people achieve lasting recovery. This includes:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Motivational Interviewing (MI)

• Peer support through groups like Gamblers Anonymous

• Medication when appropriate

The key lies in understanding that gambling disorder is a chronic condition requiring ongoing attention, much like diabetes or hypertension. With the right treatment and aftercare, people rebuild their lives and maintain recovery for years, even decades.

For those seeking specialized, intensive support, residential gambling treatment programs like Algamus provide a structured, gambling-specific foundation for long-term recovery.

How Is Gambling Disorder Diagnosed?

Gambling disorder is a behavioral addiction marked by persistent, recurrent gambling that causes significant impairment or distress.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) formally recognizes it and places it in the same category as substance use disorders. This reflects years of research showing that gambling affects the brain’s reward system in ways similar to drugs and alcohol.

DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria

To receive a diagnosis, an individual must meet four or more of the following criteria within a 12-month period:

• Preoccupation with gambling

• Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve excitement (tolerance)

• Repeated unsuccessful attempts to control, cut back, or stop gambling

• Restlessness or irritability when attempting to reduce gambling

• Gambling as a way to escape problems or relieve negative mood

• Returning to gambling after losing money to "chase" losses

• Lying to conceal the extent of gambling involvement

• Jeopardizing or losing significant relationships, jobs, or educational opportunities

• Relying on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling
  

Severity Levels

The DSM-5 specifies severity based on symptom count:

• Mild: 4-5 criteria

• Moderate: 6-7 criteria

• Severe: 8-9 criteria

That said, symptom count alone doesn't tell the whole story. Clinicians also weigh gambling frequency, monetary losses, functional impairment, and comorbid conditions when determining treatment intensity. 

Someone meeting diagnostic criteria with severe depression, for instance, may need a higher level of care than symptom count alone would suggest.

Recognizing the Signs

Signs of addiction in a loved one often begin with behavioral changes: secretiveness about finances, unexplained absences, mood swings, borrowing money without clear explanation, and withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities. 

Early screening with tools like the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) can identify at-risk individuals before their gambling progresses, making harm reduction strategies, self-exclusion programs, and brief interventions appropriate first steps.

Who Is At Risk and What Causes Addiction?

Gambling addiction develops from a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Understanding these risk factors helps identify vulnerable populations and tailor treatment accordingly.

High-Risk Populations

Some groups face elevated risk:

• Young adults (18-35), particularly those who started gambling in adolescence

   

• Heavy online bettors, due to 24/7 accessibility and the rapid-fire nature of digital platforms

   

• Military veterans, who show rates 2-3 times higher than civilian populations

   

• People from socioeconomically deprived areas

   

• Those with childhood trauma or adverse childhood experiences

Men historically showed higher prevalence, though the gender gap has narrowed considerably with the expansion of online gambling. The dangers of online gambling deserve particular attention, given how digital platforms can accelerate progression from recreational to problematic use.

Biological Factors

Gambling addiction has a strong biological component. Genetics may account for 50 to 60 percent of vulnerability. Brain research shows changes in dopamine signaling within the reward system, which affects how pleasure and risk are processed. 

Over time, everyday rewards feel less satisfying, while gambling cues become more powerful. Traits like impulsivity and difficulty with decision-making can further increase risk and make the disorder harder to interrupt.

Psychological Drivers

Gambling disorder frequently co-occurs with other conditions:

• Mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder)

   

• Anxiety disorders

   

• ADHD

   

• PTSD

   

• Personality disorders

Certain thinking patterns also keep gambling going. The illusion of control and similar thinking patterns can keep someone gambling even as losses mount.

Screening for these conditions is essential, because untreated mental health issues often undermine recovery.

Environmental Factors

Social and environmental factors powerfully influence onset and escalation. 

The proliferation of online gambling has removed traditional barriers to access. Targeted marketing, free-play inducements, and cultural normalization of betting (particularly sports betting) expose millions who might never have entered a casino. Social isolation, unemployment, and major life stressors also contribute.

What Does Gambling Recovery Look Like?

When families ask, “Can gambling addiction be cured?” they’re really asking something deeper: Is change possible? Can life get better?

Yes, recovery is absolutely possible. But like other addictions, it isn’t about a quick fix. It’s about ongoing growth, support, and stability over time.

How Recovery Phases Unfold

Recovery tends to move through clear stages:

1. Early Change (0-3 months): Focus on stabilization, addressing immediate financial emergencies and safety concerns.

2. Consolidation (3-12 months): Skill-building, working through underlying issues, and solidifying relapse prevention strategies.

3. Maintenance (12+ months): Sustained improvement. Growth continues, though awareness and accountability remain important. Periodic check-ins help ensure ongoing stability.

Recovery Outcomes by Treatment Approach

Note: Outcomes vary. Recovery depends on many individual factors, including commitment, support systems, and co-occurring mental health needs.

What Predicts Better Outcomes?

Factors That Support Stronger Recovery

• Lower gambling severity at the start of treatment

   

• A strong support system — family, friends, or community

   

• Stable housing and daily structure

   

• Getting help early rather than waiting for things to worsen

   

• Gambling beginning later in life

Factors That Can Make Recovery More Difficult

• Ongoing legal or serious financial problems

   

• Untreated depression, anxiety, trauma, or other mental health concerns

   

• Frequent use of high-intensity gambling platforms (like online casinos or electronic gaming machines)

   

• Social isolation or lack of support

Setting Goals and Responding to Setbacks

Recovery works best when goals are clear and realistic. Some people choose complete abstinence from the beginning. Others may initially focus on reducing harm and stabilizing their lives. Both approaches can be appropriate, depending on the person and their circumstances.

What Evidence-Based Treatments Work?

Treatment for gambling disorder has evolved significantly. We now have strong research showing what works and what leads to better long-term outcomes.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT remains the gold standard, with consistent moderate-to-large effect sizes. It addresses cognitive distortions (erroneous beliefs about probability, the illusion of control), teaches coping skills for urges and triggers, and helps restructure life patterns that supported gambling.

Sessions typically run 8-16 weeks. This approach is especially helpful for individuals with distorted thinking and co-occurring anxiety or depression.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

MI shows small-to-moderate effects on engagement and is especially valuable for individuals ambivalent about change. The non-confrontational, collaborative stance reduces resistance and enhances intrinsic motivation. Many clinicians combine MI with CBT, using motivational techniques in early sessions before transitioning to skill-based interventions.

Brief Interventions and Self-Help

Brief interventions (1-4 sessions) show short-term benefits for mild-to-moderate problems, particularly in primary care or employee assistance settings. 

Guided self-help using structured workbooks with clinician check-ins offers a stepped-care option that expands access while reserving intensive resources for those who need them.

Group Therapy

Group therapy shows comparable effectiveness to individual therapy and offers cost advantages plus the therapeutic benefit of peer support. 

Groups work well with trained facilitators using manualized protocols, though they may not suit those with severe social anxiety or requiring trauma-focused work.

Digital Delivery

Digital CBT has grown substantially, with meta-analyses suggesting comparable effectiveness to face-to-face treatment for mild-to-moderate severity when programs include some human support. 

Pure self-help apps show smaller effects. Digital tools work best as adjuncts or stepped-care options rather than replacements for specialized treatment in severe cases.

Stepped Care Approach

The general principle: start with lower-intensity interventions for mild presentations, stepping up when initial approaches prove insufficient. Reserve residential treatment for severe cases, failed outpatient attempts, or situations requiring removal from gambling-accessible environments.

A practical decision point: if someone shows less than 20% symptom improvement after 6-8 sessions, consider intensifying treatment or adding components.

What Medications Should Clinicians Consider?

While therapy and support are central to recovery, medication can sometimes play a helpful role, especially when cravings feel intense or when other mental health concerns are present.

Opioid Antagonists

Naltrexone and nalmefene are medications that have shown the strongest support in research. They work by reducing the “reward” feeling associated with gambling, which can help quiet strong urges.

Naltrexone, often taken daily, may be especially helpful for people who also struggle with alcohol use. Some people begin to notice changes within a month or two. Because it affects the liver, doctors typically run routine blood work before starting it.

SSRIs

Fluvoxamine, sertraline, and other SSRIs show mixed results in gambling-specific trials but may benefit those with anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive features. Effect sizes are smaller than for opioid antagonists.

Other Medications Being Studied

Some newer approaches are still being researched. N-acetylcysteine, a supplement that affects certain brain pathways, has shown some promise in early studies. Mood stabilizers like lithium may help individuals who struggle with bipolar disorder and tend to gamble during periods of elevated mood.

Because everyone’s situation is different, medication decisions are best made with a medical professional who understands addiction and mental health.

When to Consider Medication

Medications rarely serve as standalone treatment. They work best combined with psychotherapy and peer support. Consider them when:

• Therapy alone hasn’t been enough to reduce gambling urges

   

• Cravings feel intense or difficult to manage

   

• Anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition is also present

   

• Someone feels open to trying medication as an added layer of support

If there isn’t noticeable improvement after a couple of months, the treatment plan can be adjusted. Recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all. Sometimes it takes thoughtful trial and adjustment to find what works best.

Planning for Long-Term Stability

Medication, therapy, and support all play important roles in recovery. But lasting change also means preparing for real-life moments. This includes the stressful days, the unexpected triggers, or the times when old habits try to resurface.

Relapse prevention isn’t something that happens at the end of treatment. It’s something we begin talking about early and continue strengthening over time.

Understanding Personal Triggers

Everyone has different triggers. Identifying them clearly makes it easier to respond instead of react.

Internal triggers may include:

• Emotional states (stress, anxiety, boredom, loneliness, celebration)

   

• Physical states (fatigue, hunger, pain)

   

• Cognitive patterns (rationalizations, permission-giving thoughts)

External triggers may include:

• Places (casinos, sports bars, locations where gambling occurred)

   

• People (gambling companions, enablers)

   

• Situations (paydays, arguments, specific times of day)

   

• Media exposure (gambling ads, sports events)

When triggers are identified, they can be paired with specific coping strategies. The goal isn’t to eliminate every trigger. It’s to be prepared for them.

Building a Coping Toolbox

During treatment, people practice strategies they can rely on when urges arise. A strong plan usually includes several options, such as:

• Delay and distract: Waiting before any gambling decision, engaging alternatives

   

• Physical activity: Even brief walking reduces urge intensity

   

• Grounding exercises: Sensory-based present-moment focus

   

• Calling a support person

   

• Reviewing past consequences

   

• Engaging in incompatible activities

Strengthening Your Support System

No one should try to do this alone. A strong recovery plan includes 3–5 people who can provide accountability and support.

This might include:

• Family members

   

• Sponsors

   

• Therapists

   

• Trusted peers in recovery

It helps to know how and when to reach them — and even to practice what you’ll say when asking for help.

Early Warning Signs of a Relapse

Relapse rarely happens suddenly. There are often signs.

Subtle signs: Changes in sleep, increased gambling thoughts, rationalization beginning 
Moderate signs: Seeking gambling information, isolating, missing appointments 
Severe signs: Obtaining gambling funds, lying about activities, visiting gambling locations

If a Setback Happens

Setbacks can happen. What matters most is responding quickly and without shame.

Immediately:

• Stop gambling

   

• Leave the environment

   

• Call a support person

   

• Don't access additional funds

Within 24 hours:

• Contact treatment provider

   

• Attend a support group

   

• Review what happened without self-condemnation

   

• Restrict financial access

Within 72 hours:

• Schedule additional treatment session

   

• Update relapse prevention plan

   

• Re-establish routines

The goal is a quick return to recovery rather than allowing a lapse to become full relapse.

Taking the Next Step

Gambling addiction is treatable. With evidence-based therapy, peer support, family involvement, and when appropriate, medication, most individuals achieve sustained recovery and rebuild their lives.

The real question isn’t whether gambling addiction can be cured in an absolute sense, but whether someone can recover, manage it, and live fully. The answer is yes.

For individuals and families ready to take action, Algamus Gambling Recovery Center offers specialized residential gambling treatment with gambling-specific clinical protocols, financial counseling, family programming, and comprehensive aftercare planning. Our five-week program provides the intensive foundation for long-term recovery.

If you're a clinician seeking consultation, or an individual or family member looking for help, contact us. Recovery is possible. It starts with reaching out.

Gambling Disorder FAQs

How do I approach a loved one about gambling?

Choose a calm, private moment. Lead with concern, not accusation: "I've noticed some things that worry me, and I care about you. Can we talk?" Focus on specific observations rather than labels. 

Listen more than you speak. If they become defensive, stay calm and express availability. Avoid ultimatums initially. Have the National Problem Gambling Helpline ready (1-800-MY-RESET), but don't push.

What are immediate crisis signs?

Seek immediate help for:

• Suicidal thoughts or hopelessness

   

• Inability to meet basic needs

   

• Illegal activity to fund gambling

   

• Threats of violence

   

• Severe anxiety, insomnia, or physical symptoms

If someone is in immediate danger of self-harm, call 988 or go to the emergency room. Don't leave a suicidal person alone.

When should someone consider a higher level of care?

Within 24-72 hours: Active suicidal ideation with plan, severe psychiatric decompensation, need for detox from concurrent substance use

Within 1-2 weeks: No improvement after 6-8 weeks outpatient, complex comorbidities, medication-assisted treatment consideration

Residential treatment: Failed outpatient attempts, unsupportive home environment, severity of crisis requiring environmental change

Can gambling treatment be done through telehealth?

Yes. Many therapy approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), work well over video.

It’s important to make sure sessions are private and uninterrupted. One challenge with telehealth is that gambling apps and triggers may still be easily accessible. Having a plan in place and knowing local crisis resources can help.

What insurance tips help patients access care?

Most insurance plans cover gambling disorder under mental health benefits. Many people don’t realize this. If residential treatment is recommended, insurance companies may require documentation showing that lower levels of care were not sufficient.

For those without insurance, there may be sliding scale options, state-funded programs, or payment plans available. In some states, lottery or casino revenue helps fund treatment services.