The Risky Link Between Alcoholism and Gambling

From casino slots to sports betting, alcohol is almost always part of the picture. It's a pairing that lines the pockets of businesses but stacks the odds against you. This isn't a coincidence. The link between alcoholism and gambling is powerful, creating a dangerous cycle where one habit feeds the other. When gambling and drinking happen together, it can quickly spiral into a serious gambling and alcohol addiction. Understanding this connection is the first step toward regaining control.

We commonly hear of gambling addiction and alcohol addiction, but could the two be intertwined? Let’s go back in time to the beginnings of how alcohol and gambling became connected to better understand the dangerous effects that the pair can elicit.

Why Do Gambling and Alcohol Go Hand-in-Hand?

Alcohol and gambling both date back to thousands of years ago, but the popularity of the pair can be traced back to the Prohibition Era. Starting in the 1920s when alcohol was banned in the US, underground speakeasies or secret bars flourished as a result. Gambling establishments, outlawed in the 1910s, seemed to merge perfectly with illegal bars — commonly occurring side by side. 

As alcohol and gambling in some areas became legal in the mid-20th century, it gave rise to Las Vegas — the gambling capital of the world. New casinos that opened up appealed to visitors by offering free drinks. Not only did this strategy help bring in gamblers, but it was also used to keep players at the tables and slot machines for longer. Alcohol helped manipulate the atmosphere and quickly became an integral aspect of casinos and gambling establishments. 

Today, bars and lounges are a vital part of casinos — intertwining the aspects of betting, socializing, and drinking. Alcohol is also commonly seen in other types of gambling such as sports betting, e-sports, and lotteries. Drinking and gambling are deeply connected and both are frequently associated with addiction. Let’s further explore to see why this is.

The Surprising Statistics

This historical pairing isn't just a coincidence; the numbers show a deep and often troubling connection between drinking and gambling. The link is much stronger than many people realize. According to research, about 73 out of every 100 people with a gambling problem also have an alcohol use disorder. This staggering overlap shows that for a majority of individuals struggling with one, the other is often present. The relationship works both ways, too. The same research indicates that people with an alcohol use disorder are five to six times more likely to develop a gambling problem. These statistics paint a clear picture: where you find problematic gambling, you’ll very often find problematic drinking, and vice versa.

Shared Causes and Risk Factors

So, why is the connection so strong? It turns out that alcohol and gambling issues often stem from similar roots. The relationship isn't just about casinos offering free drinks; it goes much deeper, into our biology and psychology. Both behaviors can tap into the same vulnerabilities, making it easy for one to feed the other. Understanding these shared causes is a critical step in recognizing how the two can become intertwined. Key factors include our genetic predispositions, the way our brains are wired for reward, and the psychological triggers that lead us to seek an escape. Let’s look at these factors more closely.

Genetics and Brain Chemistry

At a biological level, alcohol and gambling can affect the brain in remarkably similar ways. Both can be influenced by genetics and issues with the brain's reward system. This system relies on a chemical called dopamine, which makes us feel pleasure and motivates us to repeat behaviors that are essential for survival, like eating. However, activities like drinking and gambling can also trigger a large release of dopamine, creating a powerful sense of reward. This surge can make you want to repeat the behavior to get that feeling again, creating a cycle of craving. Over time, your brain can become less sensitive to dopamine, meaning you need to drink more or gamble more to get the same effect, which is a hallmark of addiction.

Psychological Triggers

Beyond brain chemistry, our emotional state plays a huge role. Many people use alcohol or gambling as a way to cope with or escape from difficult feelings like stress, anxiety, depression, or trauma. When you're feeling overwhelmed, placing a bet or having a drink can feel like a temporary solution—a way to numb out or distract yourself. The problem is that this relief is short-lived. The underlying issues remain, and the negative consequences of drinking or gambling can add even more stress to your life. This can create a vicious cycle where you turn to these behaviors to escape the very problems they are helping to create, making it harder to find healthier ways of coping and practicing mindful drinking.

What Is Addiction, Really?

To understand addiction, let’s first define common terms that are associated. While these terms are frequently used interchangeably, they are distinctive. Let’s explore how they differ from each other. 

• Misuse. Misuse of a substance refers to excessive use of something without regard to negative consequences that may occur. While those of us who misuse a substance may also be dependent on it, it’s not always the case.
• Dependence. Differing from misuse, dependence is when we can’t quit something. Dependence is a physical manifestation of the body adapting to the presence of something. It’s associated with symptoms of withdrawal if the substance is removed. 
• Addiction. Addiction is a neurological dependence. It’s characterized by changes in our brain’s reward pathways that can last even after withdrawal symptoms subside. While dependence can often lead to addiction, they can exist without one another. Take our morning coffee for example. We may get a headache if we decide to skip it one morning, but it doesn’t always mean we’re addicted. 

While these terms are often mixed up, research found that incorrectly using the terms dependence and addiction within the medical field can have social, therapeutic, and criminal consequences. Gambling and alcohol can both be associated with misuse, dependence, and addiction. Gambling is an activity and alcohol is a drug, but they can both release dopamine which creates feelings of pleasure and reward. Since they both manipulate our brain’s reward system, alcohol and gambling are subject to addiction, especially when combined. Let’s take a closer look at their relationship.

               

Understanding Gambling as a Behavioral Addiction

Gambling addiction is what’s known as a behavioral addiction. This means the compulsion isn't tied to a substance we consume, but to an activity. However, our brains don't always make that distinction. The same neural pathways involved in substance use disorders are activated by problem gambling, which is why the experience can feel so similar. We might experience intense cravings, a loss of control, and continue the behavior despite facing serious negative consequences in our finances or relationships. This is why pathological gambling is often called an “addiction without the drug,” highlighting how powerfully it affects our brain's reward system, much like a substance would.

The connection lies deep within our brain chemistry. When we place a bet or have a drink, our brain releases a feel-good chemical called dopamine. This creates a rush of pleasure and reinforces the behavior, making us want to do it again. Over time, our brain can become accustomed to these high levels of dopamine, and the reward from everyday activities starts to feel dull in comparison. This is how the compulsion builds. What's particularly risky is that alcohol also impairs our judgment and lowers inhibitions, making it easier to place a bigger bet or keep playing longer than we planned. This creates a dangerous feedback loop where one behavior fuels the other.

The Vicious Cycle of Gambling and Drinking

Gambling and drinking often fuel each other. There’s a reason that gambling establishments use alcohol to lure us in and keep us there. Gambling’s strong connection to alcohol can encourage drinking. This can then fuel an increase in gambling impulsions and lead to excessive drinking. The toxic cycle of gambling and drinking can create a perfect storm that can lead to dependence and addiction. 

How Drinking Can Lead to Problem Gambling

The supposed thrill of uncertainty that gambling brings can lead to addiction on its own. Adding alcohol to the equation is like adding fuel to the fire. This is due to alcohol’s impact on our cognitive and physiological processes. 

Specifically, alcohol triggers the release of dopamine, the neurotransmitter that produces feelings of pleasure and motivates us to come back for more. Gambling, while not a drug, can also trigger the release of dopamine. Alcohol and gambling can heighten the feelings of happiness that can make the combination of gambling and drinking seem like a highly pleasurable experience. This may explain the conclusion that the combination of the two is more highly associated with problem gambling, as outlined in this study.

Alcohol also lowers our inhibitions, which can make us more prone to doing things we wouldn’t normally do. Have you ever brought out your inner Mariah Carey while drinking when normally you’d be the one to mouth the lyrics during karaoke with friends? Alcohol’s damper on our prefrontal cortex is to blame. 

Lowered inhibitions from drinking can significantly affect gambling behaviors. It can lead to greater impulsivity which can cause risky gambling behaviors and also impact our judgment. When our rational brain would normally tell us to stop, alcohol’s effects on our inhibition may dismiss these thoughts. A study on alcohol and gambling addiction found that alcohol misuse commonly precedes problematic gambling behaviors. Alcohol plays a major role in gambling behaviors, but how does gambling perpetuate the toxic cycle that can lead to alcohol addiction? 

How Gambling Can Fuel Alcohol Abuse

We’ve established that alcohol and gambling commonly co-occur. This means that gambling can increase our alcohol exposure and further normalize the tendency to gamble and drink together. 

In addition to increased exposure that can indirectly encourage excessive consumption, gambling and alcohol act on the same reward pathways in our brain. Just like how the heightened increase in dopamine can elicit excessive gambling, the positive feelings we may associate with drinking and gambling can fuel increased consumption.

Aside from the detrimental health effects of excessive drinking, the boost of dopamine may not sound particularly harmful. However, excessive drinking can stunt our brain’s natural production of dopamine — meaning that we’d need more and more alcohol (or alcohol and gambling in this case) to reach the same level of pleasure. Research, looking specifically at sports betting and alcohol consumption, concluded that those who wagered on sports disproportionately reported a higher tendency and frequency of binge drinking.

Through the way alcohol and gambling affect one another, we can determine that drinking and gambling undoubtedly have a cyclical relationship. But why is this dangerous?

The Real Risks of Mixing Gambling and Alcohol

An unhealthy relationship with alcohol or gambling can cause harmful consequences on their own. However, the way that alcohol and gambling fuel one another amplifies their dangers. Some dangers of mixing the two include the following consequences:

• Excessive drinking. Drinking is heavily normalized, especially in gambling establishments. The free drink that reels us in can be the trigger for excessive drinking. 
• Excessive gambling. Impacted judgment from alcohol can affect our decision to stop or continue. The nature of intoxication can also keep us at a gambling establishment for longer — increasing the chances that we keep playing.
• Risk of addiction. The impact of gambling with the added effects of alcohol heightens the risk of addiction, more than the two separately. 
• Risky behaviors. Alcohol can increase impulsive behaviors which may lead to risky gambling choices and other risky behaviors. Drinking can often be associated with black-and-white thinking or thinking in absolutes. Since we may already be participating in gambling and drinking, black-and-white thinking may consequently encourage us to engage in other detrimental behaviors.
• Financial issues. Excessive gambling and drinking can quickly lead to financial problems. A study looking at the financial impacts of gambling concluded

While drinking and gambling are associated with many potential risks, the fact is that they commonly occur together. Let’s explore some ways that we can treat an unhealthy relationship with alcohol and gambling.

Impact on Mental and Physical Health

The combination of drinking and gambling takes a significant toll on both our mental and physical well-being. Alcohol famously lowers our inhibitions, which can make us more prone to doing things we wouldn’t normally do. This effect can lead to greater impulsivity and impaired judgment, encouraging risky gambling behaviors that we might later regret. This cycle can create immense stress and anxiety, especially when dealing with financial losses. The mental strain is often compounded by the physical effects of excessive alcohol use, such as poor sleep, liver damage, and a weakened immune system. The stress from gambling can fuel more drinking, and the drinking can fuel more gambling, creating a feedback loop that is difficult to break and damaging to our overall health.

Financial and Legal Consequences

When impaired judgment from alcohol meets the high stakes of gambling, financial stability is often the first casualty. Excessive gambling and drinking can quickly lead to serious money problems. As one study on the financial impacts of gambling noted, losses often lead to the depletion of financial resources, making it difficult to handle unexpected expenses. Alcohol makes it harder to stick to a budget or walk away when you’re down, often leading to chasing losses with even bigger bets. Beyond the money spent on wagers, the cost of drinks itself adds up, further draining your bank account. In severe cases, this financial desperation can lead to taking on massive debt or even legal issues, creating a crisis that extends far beyond the casino floor.

Strain on Relationships and Social Life

The destructive cycle of drinking and gambling rarely stays contained; it often spills over and damages our most important relationships. Combining these behaviors puts a lot of stress on relationships with family and friends, causing feelings of guilt and anger. Trust erodes when money disappears without explanation or when promises to cut back are repeatedly broken. Time once spent with loved ones may be replaced by hours at a bar or casino, leading to social isolation. Arguments over finances and behavior can become common, creating an environment of tension and resentment. This strain can push away the very people who make up our support system, leaving us feeling even more alone and trapped in the cycle.

Getting Help for Alcoholism and Gambling

Treatment or support isn’t only for those of us who meet the criteria for addiction. If we’re concerned about our gambling or drinking habits we can take the following steps to stack the odds in our favor:

1. Identify signs. Sometimes it can be difficult to identify that our habits are becoming an issue. Here are some signs to look out for:

• Increased consumption/gambling
• Neglecting responsibilities
• Ignoring negative consequences
• Withdrawal symptoms when stopping
• Not being able to stop
• Concerned friends and family

2. Explore treatment options. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and gambling addiction can be treated separately or together. Some treatment options overlap, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing, which can treat both conditions simultaneously.

3. Try medications. Medically assisted treatment may be used in conjunction with other therapies. This helps to target neurological pathways while we are also making behavioral changes.

While different options exist to treat alcoholism and gambling addiction, prevention is the best way to avoid the adverse effects of addiction. 

The Importance of Integrated Treatment

When you’re dealing with intertwined issues like problem gambling and excessive drinking, it’s tempting to tackle them one at a time. However, because they so often fuel each other, addressing only one can be like trying to fix a leak with a bucket instead of patching the hole. Research shows that when both problems are present, treatment is more complex. An integrated approach that addresses both behaviors simultaneously is often the most effective path forward. This method treats you as a whole person, recognizing how these habits are connected in your life and brain chemistry. By working on both at once, you can build stronger, more resilient strategies for change that are less likely to be derailed by the lingering pull of the other habit.

Therapeutic Approaches and Support Groups

Finding the right kind of support is a personal process, and thankfully, there are many proven methods available. The most effective recovery plans often combine professional guidance with the strength of community. Therapeutic approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) provide you with the mental tools to reframe your thoughts and habits, while support groups offer the invaluable comfort of knowing you aren't alone. These two pillars work together to create a sturdy foundation for lasting change. Exploring these options can help you build a personalized toolkit that addresses both the psychological triggers and the emotional challenges of changing your relationship with alcohol and gambling.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is a highly effective form of talk therapy that helps you become more aware of inaccurate or negative thinking so you can respond to challenging situations more effectively. Instead of just talking about your past, CBT focuses on giving you practical skills for the here and now. It teaches you to identify the specific thoughts and feelings that trigger the urge to drink or gamble and then develop healthier ways to cope. For example, you might learn to challenge the thought that "one more bet will win it all back" or find new ways to manage stress that don't involve pouring a drink. It’s an empowering approach that helps you change harmful patterns by changing the way you think about them.

Support Groups like AA and GA

There is incredible power in shared experience. Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA) provide a space where you can connect with people who truly get it. These peer-led groups are built on the principle of mutual support, offering a judgment-free environment to share your story, listen to others, and learn from their journeys. The sense of community can combat the feelings of isolation that often accompany addiction. Knowing that others have faced similar struggles and are actively working toward a better life can provide immense hope and motivation. It’s a constant reminder that recovery is possible and that you don’t have to do it alone.

National Resources and Helplines

Taking the first step toward getting help can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. There are excellent national organizations dedicated to providing free, confidential support. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a fantastic resource. Their website offers a wealth of information and a treatment locator to help you find support in your area. If you need to talk to someone right away, you can call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). For immediate emotional distress, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by simply dialing 988. These resources are there to provide guidance and a listening ear whenever you need it.

A Healthier Approach to Gambling and Drinking

While it can be easy to say, “Don’t drink and gamble,” putting it into practice is a bit more complicated. Alcohol and gambling have deep-rooted ties that date back over a hundred years. Alcohol is also heavily ingrained in our social culture — making quitting or cutting back not always as easy as it sounds. Here are some ways we can approach gambling and drinking more mindfully:  

• Set strict limits. Especially in curated gambling environments, it can be easy to say “Just one more drink” or “Just one more game,” which usually doesn’t play out like that. Setting and sticking to strict limits such as only having one drink or only playing for an hour helps to prevent overindulgence. 
• Have an accountability partner. Sometimes even setting limits for ourselves may not be foolproof. Having an accountability partner is like having a second line of defense that can help us stick to our goals.  
• Track habits. Vegas and blacking out are infamously synonymous with one another. However, keeping track of our gambling and alcohol consumption can help make sure we don’t go overboard. Gambling can occur in many different forms, so keeping a log of our habits over time can help us identify if we may be starting to develop an unhealthy relationship. 
• Seek support. Navigating dependence or addiction isn’t easy, but we don’t have to go through it alone. Social support can help us get through obstacles on our road to recovery. 

Early intervention and more intentional consumption can go a long way in preventing addiction to alcohol or gambling. Unfortunately, the relationship between alcohol and gambling makes addiction more prevalent than we may realize. A study on gambling and substance use in the US found that problematic gambling occurred in roughly 4.6% of the population and 17% among those with alcohol misuse or dependence. 

Putting It All Together

Drinking and gambling. Two vices that were intertwined as a way to conveniently avoid bans through underground establishments quickly became a marketing strategy to keep customers looped in. Gambling indirectly encourages drinking due to its strong ties. In turn, alcohol can also fuel more gambling — starting a negative cycle that can easily lead to dependence and addiction. While the pair can seem like an innocent duo at first, dependence and addiction can have harmful impacts on all areas of our lives. Don’t wager when it comes to your health and well-being. Avoid gambling and drinking in excess to avoid traveling down the road that leads to addiction!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does it seem like drinking and gambling always go together? This pairing is no accident. It started historically when underground bars and gambling dens operated in the same spaces. Today, it's a deliberate business strategy. Casinos and betting environments often provide alcohol to lower your inhibitions and impair your judgment, which can lead you to play longer and make riskier bets than you otherwise would.

Is it the drinking that causes the gambling problem, or the other way around? It can honestly work both ways, which is what makes the connection so tricky. For some, a pattern of heavy drinking comes first, and the impaired judgment from alcohol leads them into problem gambling. For others, the stress and environment of gambling can fuel more drinking. It’s less about which came first and more about recognizing that they often create a self-reinforcing cycle where one habit makes the other worse.

What makes the combination of alcohol and gambling so much riskier than doing either one alone? When you combine them, you create a perfect storm for your brain. Both activities trigger the release of dopamine, a chemical that makes you feel pleasure and reward. Doing them together can create an even more intense feeling, making the urge to continue much stronger. At the same time, alcohol is actively working against your rational mind, making it harder to stick to your limits or walk away when you should.

How can I tell if my habits have crossed the line from just having fun to a real problem? It’s less about a single bad night and more about a consistent pattern. You might notice you’re spending more time or money on drinking and gambling than you plan to. Maybe you find yourself hiding your habits from others, neglecting responsibilities, or feeling unable to stop even when you know there are negative consequences. If friends or family have expressed concern, that’s also a significant sign to pay attention to.

I'm worried about my habits, but I'm not sure where to start. What's a good first step? Taking that first step is the most important part, and it doesn't have to be a huge leap. A great starting point is simply talking to someone you trust, whether it's a close friend, a family member, or a therapist. If you're not ready for that, you can call a confidential helpline like the SAMHSA National Helpline. Just breaking the silence and sharing your concerns can make a world of difference.

Key Takeaways

• One Habit Fuels the Other: Drinking lowers your inhibitions, leading to riskier bets and poor judgment, while the gambling environment itself often encourages more drinking. This creates a powerful feedback loop that makes it difficult to control either behavior.
• It’s a Chemical Connection: Both alcohol and gambling activate the same reward pathways in your brain by releasing dopamine. When combined, they create an intensified feeling of pleasure that reinforces the desire to do both, making the pair more compelling than either activity on its own.
• An Integrated Approach Is Most Effective: Because the two issues are so intertwined, addressing them together is crucial for lasting change. You can start by setting firm, separate limits for both drinking and spending, and seek out support systems that recognize and treat the dual challenge.

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