By Phil Waibel, MSW
Clinician, ETHOS Treatment LLC

When we think about addiction, we often picture substances: alcohol, opioids, stimulants. But one of the most overlooked and dangerous addictions, especially for people in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD), is gambling.

Gambling and SUD share more in common than people realize. Both rise quickly to the top of a person’s priorities, replacing relationships, responsibilities, and routines with compulsive behaviors that dominate their thoughts and actions. The neurobiology behind these addictions reveals similar patterns: intense dopaminergic bursts that drive pleasure and motivation. Whether it’s placing a bet or using a drug, the same chemical systems are activated — and the same destructive cycles can take hold.

The risk for people in SUD recovery is especially high. With the rise of mobile betting apps and AI-powered gambling platforms, access is immediate and constant. These apps don’t just allow gambling — they encourage it. By tracking user behavior, they offer personalized temptations in the form of parlays and targeted promotions designed to keep people engaged. For individuals navigating early recovery, this level of accessibility can be dangerous — especially when gambling becomes a substitute for the dopamine hit once provided by substances.

We’ve also seen an increase in stimulant use — cocaine, methamphetamine, unprescribed Adderall — among those with gambling disorders. This combination creates a vicious feedback loop: gambling fuels the stimulant use, and vice versa, accelerating the pace of addiction and increasing the risk of significant personal harm.

The consequences are far-reaching. Gambling addiction can devastate family life, often even more rapidly than substance use. The compulsive behavior, secrecy, financial damage, and emotional unavailability can unravel marriages, harm children, and fracture relationships with loved ones. When a parent chooses screen time and bets over eye contact and true presence, the developmental impact on young children can be profound.

Recovery is possible, but it requires honesty, community, and professional support. One critical tool is self-exclusion, a process that blocks individuals from accessing all online gambling platforms using their Social Security number. For some, this step can be lifesaving. However, it often triggers a deep emotional crash. Gambling withdrawal frequently comes with intense depression and a loss of identity. This is where group therapy becomes so vital. Being seen, heard, and understood by others who’ve faced similar struggles has a powerful healing effect — both emotionally and neurologically.

I’ve seen recovery transform lives. For many clients, the greatest relief isn’t actually abstinence — it’s integrity. After years of hiding, manipulating, and lying, they begin to speak the truth and follow through on their words. That alignment of words and actions is satisfying, fulfilling, and a solid indicator of progress.

It’s also critical that we normalize conversations about gambling during the early stages of SUD treatment. We ask about gambling history during evaluations, and if it’s present or if it emerges, we integrate it into the treatment plan. In some cases, individuals discover gambling only after beginning recovery. Their first bet might come through a sports app on their phone—something they never anticipated would become problematic.

We’re also watching trends closely. The next generation is growing up in a digital landscape where gambling is ever-present. The age of first exposure matters. The earlier someone is introduced to gambling — especially if it’s normalized at home—the more likely they are to develop a problem later. With increasingly sophisticated technology targeting young users, gambling addiction may very well become the next public health crisis, similar to the opioid epidemic.

The signs of gambling addiction are subtle at first: increased time on phones, skipping social events, placing larger or more frequent bets, isolation, and strained relationships. But if you recognize these patterns in yourself or someone you care about, know this: help is available, and recovery is real.

You Are Not Alone

At ETHOS, we’re committed to helping individuals build lives of connection, clarity, and purpose. You are not alone — and we’re here to walk with you, every step of the way.

If you or a loved is struggling with substance use or gambling, call us at 267-669-0300 or https://www.ethostreatment.com/contact to schedule a confidential assessment.

About Ethos Treatment

Ethos Treatment LLC is a behavioral healthcare provider accredited by The Joint Commission to treat mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Licensed clinicians lead Intensive Outpatient Programs in Pennsylvania via telehealth and at seven locations: Broomall, Collegeville, Jenkintown, Philadelphia, Plymouth Meeting, West Chester and Wyomissing. Ethos accepts most insurance.

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The Overlooked Danger: Gambling Addiction Among People in Substance Use Recovery

Jul 28, 2025

Blog

Written by: ETHOS Treatment

By Phil Waibel, MSW
Clinician, ETHOS Treatment LLC

When we think about addiction, we often picture substances: alcohol, opioids, stimulants. But one of the most overlooked and dangerous addictions, especially for people in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD), is gambling.

Gambling and SUD share more in common than people realize. Both rise quickly to the top of a person’s priorities, replacing relationships, responsibilities, and routines with compulsive behaviors that dominate their thoughts and actions. The neurobiology behind these addictions reveals similar patterns: intense dopaminergic bursts that drive pleasure and motivation. Whether it’s placing a bet or using a drug, the same chemical systems are activated — and the same destructive cycles can take hold.

The risk for people in SUD recovery is especially high. With the rise of mobile betting apps and AI-powered gambling platforms, access is immediate and constant. These apps don’t just allow gambling — they encourage it. By tracking user behavior, they offer personalized temptations in the form of parlays and targeted promotions designed to keep people engaged. For individuals navigating early recovery, this level of accessibility can be dangerous — especially when gambling becomes a substitute for the dopamine hit once provided by substances.

We’ve also seen an increase in stimulant use — cocaine, methamphetamine, unprescribed Adderall — among those with gambling disorders. This combination creates a vicious feedback loop: gambling fuels the stimulant use, and vice versa, accelerating the pace of addiction and increasing the risk of significant personal harm.

The consequences are far-reaching. Gambling addiction can devastate family life, often even more rapidly than substance use. The compulsive behavior, secrecy, financial damage, and emotional unavailability can unravel marriages, harm children, and fracture relationships with loved ones. When a parent chooses screen time and bets over eye contact and true presence, the developmental impact on young children can be profound.

Recovery is possible, but it requires honesty, community, and professional support. One critical tool is self-exclusion, a process that blocks individuals from accessing all online gambling platforms using their Social Security number. For some, this step can be lifesaving. However, it often triggers a deep emotional crash. Gambling withdrawal frequently comes with intense depression and a loss of identity. This is where group therapy becomes so vital. Being seen, heard, and understood by others who’ve faced similar struggles has a powerful healing effect — both emotionally and neurologically.

I’ve seen recovery transform lives. For many clients, the greatest relief isn’t actually abstinence — it’s integrity. After years of hiding, manipulating, and lying, they begin to speak the truth and follow through on their words. That alignment of words and actions is satisfying, fulfilling, and a solid indicator of progress.

It's also critical that we normalize conversations about gambling during the early stages of SUD treatment. We ask about gambling history during evaluations, and if it’s present or if it emerges, we integrate it into the treatment plan. In some cases, individuals discover gambling only after beginning recovery. Their first bet might come through a sports app on their phone—something they never anticipated would become problematic.

We’re also watching trends closely. The next generation is growing up in a digital landscape where gambling is ever-present. The age of first exposure matters. The earlier someone is introduced to gambling — especially if it’s normalized at home—the more likely they are to develop a problem later. With increasingly sophisticated technology targeting young users, gambling addiction may very well become the next public health crisis, similar to the opioid epidemic.

The signs of gambling addiction are subtle at first: increased time on phones, skipping social events, placing larger or more frequent bets, isolation, and strained relationships. But if you recognize these patterns in yourself or someone you care about, know this: help is available, and recovery is real.

You Are Not Alone

At ETHOS, we’re committed to helping individuals build lives of connection, clarity, and purpose. You are not alone — and we’re here to walk with you, every step of the way.

If you or a loved is struggling with substance use or gambling, call us at 267-669-0300 or https://www.ethostreatment.com/contact to schedule a confidential assessment.

About Ethos Treatment

Ethos Treatment LLC is a behavioral healthcare provider accredited by The Joint Commission to treat mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Licensed clinicians lead Intensive Outpatient Programs in Pennsylvania via telehealth and at seven locations: Broomall, Collegeville, Jenkintown, Philadelphia, Plymouth Meeting, West Chester and Wyomissing. Ethos accepts most insurance.

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