Gambling & Alcohol: A Risky Pairing
October 23, 2025
Why These Two Often Go Together
It’s not a coincidence that many casinos and betting venues serve free or discounted drinks. Alcohol lowers inhibitions, dulls judgment, and increases impulsivity — all of which can make people more likely to bet larger amounts, chase losses, or ignore warning signs.
On the other hand, the excitement and adrenaline of gambling can heighten the desire to drink. This mutual reinforcement between gambling and alcohol creates a feedback loop that increases risk-taking and reduces self-control.
Studies suggest that alcohol use is one of the most common co-occurring behaviors among individuals with gambling disorder. (Grant et al., 2002, Journal of Addictive Disorders)
What the Research Shows
- In the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), the lifetime prevalence of pathological gambling in the U.S. population was 0.42%, and gambling problems were significantly higher among individuals with alcohol use disorders. Source: Petry N.M., Stinson F.S., Grant B.F. (2005), The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
- In a study of 140 outpatient alcohol treatment patients, about 12% met criteria for problem gambling and 10% for pathological gambling. Source: Bischof et al., 2016, Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs
- Among people treated for substance use disorders, about 4–5% also meet criteria for gambling disorder, while among psychiatric inpatients, the rate can reach up to 7%. Source: Cowlishaw et al., 2014, Addiction
These data show that gambling and alcohol problems frequently overlap — and the connection often goes unnoticed in treatment settings.
What Makes the Pair Dangerous
Risk compounding: Losses while intoxicated tend to be larger and more impulsive. Alcohol impairs judgment, making it harder to stop or set limits.
Reduced self-control: Alcohol disrupts executive function and decision-making, increasing the tendency to take financial or emotional risks. — See Kreek et al., 2005, Nature Neuroscience
Escalation cycle: The more someone loses under the influence, the more likely they are to drink again to “numb” the stress, creating a destructive spiral between both behaviors.
Emotional fallout: The combination intensifies guilt, regret, and anxiety, which in turn can reinforce further substance use or gambling as a coping mechanism.
Reduced self-control: Alcohol disrupts executive function and decision-making, increasing the tendency to take financial or emotional risks.
— See Kreek et al., 2005, Nature Neuroscience
Escalation cycle: The more someone loses under the influence, the more likely they are to drink again to “numb” the stress, creating a destructive spiral between both behaviors.
Emotional fallout: The combination intensifies guilt, regret, and anxiety, which in turn can reinforce further substance use or gambling as a coping mechanism.
Breaking the Pattern
Encourage awareness and limits: Avoid mixing alcohol and gambling whenever possible. Even small amounts of alcohol can alter decision-making.
Promote dual screening: Clinicians should assess for both alcohol and gambling behaviors — treating them together leads to better outcomes. See Cowlishaw et al., 2012, Addiction
Foster mindful behavior: Encourage individuals to recognize how alcohol changes their risk perception and self-control.
Promote dual screening: Clinicians should assess for both alcohol and gambling behaviors — treating them together leads to better outcomes. See Cowlishaw et al., 2012, Addiction
Foster mindful behavior: Encourage individuals to recognize how alcohol changes their risk perception and self-control.
How Incumental can help:
- Offer self-assessment tools that help users identify when alcohol use overlaps with gambling.
- Provide educational content and video sessions on managing dual-risk situations.
- Facilitate community support and recovery spaces focused on co-occurring challenges.
- Connect users to licensed professionals who specialize in both addiction types.
- Connect users to licensed professionals who specialize in both addiction types.
References
- Petry N.M., Stinson F.S., Grant B.F. (2005). Comorbidity of DSM-IV Pathological Gambling and Other Psychiatric Disorders. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 66(5), 564–574. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15889941/
- Bischof A., Meyer C., Bischof G. (2016). Problem Gambling and Pathological Gambling in Alcohol-Dependent Outpatients. Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 33(1), 27–42. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1403494815623078
- Cowlishaw S., Merkouris S., Chapman A., Radermacher H. (2014). Pathological and Problem Gambling in Substance Use Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Addiction, 109(3), 377–388. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25950376/
- Kreek M.J., Nielsen D.A., Butelman E.R., LaForge K.S. (2005). Genetic Influences on Impulsivity, Risk Taking, Stress Responsivity, and Vulnerability to Drug Abuse. Nature Neuroscience, 8(11), 1450–1457. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16116487/
- Cowlishaw S., Merkouris S., Dowling N. (2012). Dual Diagnosis Screening in Gambling and Alcohol Use Disorders. Addiction, 107(1), 37–45. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22003968/
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