Findrelief withonlinetreatment forgamblingaddiction

Gambling addiction (also known as gambling disorder) is a behavioral health condition that creates an uncontrollable urge to gamble, despite the negative consequences associated with your actions. This form of addiction can be caused by stress, emotional distress, or other underlying mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, personality disorders, and substance use disorders.

While symptoms can vary from person to person, common signs of gambling addiction can include:

• Persistent and uncontrollable thoughts and preoccupation with gambling
• Increased risk-taking behavior
• Neglecting personal and financial responsibilities to fund gambling habits
• Increased spending
• “Chasing losses” (returning after a loss to “get even” or come out ahead)
• Lying to conceal the extent of your habit
• Jeopardizing or losing significant relationships, including a job or romantic partner
• Irritability when trying to cut back or stop
• Unsuccessful attempts to quit

You can get help with a gambling addiction online by seeking professional mental health support with Talkspace. A licensed mental health provider can help you manage and overcome your addiction through therapy. You can also join a support group for gambling addiction to connect with others who understand what you’re going through, share coping strategies, and build accountability. Combining professional support with peer encouragement can make recovery more manageable and sustainable.

The most effective treatment for gambling addiction is usually a combination of therapy and ongoing support. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered the gold standard, helping people recognize triggers, change thought patterns, and build healthier coping skills. Medication isn’t a direct cure for gambling disorder, but it may be prescribed to address related issues like depression, anxiety, or impulsivity that can contribute to your gambling addiction. 

Long-term success often comes from pairing therapy with consistent support from counseling, peer groups, or family involvement.

Yes, compulsive gambling is classified as a behavioral addiction. Gambling disorder is recognized as a diagnosable mental health condition in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).

Online therapy for gambling addiction connects you with a licensed therapist through secure video, audio, or messaging sessions. Using evidence-based approaches, your therapist helps you understand triggers, develop healthier coping strategies, and work toward lasting recovery, all from the privacy and comfort of home.

There isn’t a FDA-approved medication specifically for gambling addiction alone. However, some medications can help manage the underlying symptoms that often drive the behavior. For example, SSRIs, SNRIs, and other antidepressants may reduce anxiety or depression linked to gambling urges. Mood stabilizers can help with impulsivity, while opioid antagonists may lessen cravings and the “reward” response to gambling. These are usually prescribed alongside therapy to support recovery.

To diagnose gambling addiction, an assessment of symptoms and behavioral history is required. Only a licensed mental health provider using diagnostic criteria can make a gambling addiction diagnosis.

In many cases, yes. Because gambling disorder is classified as a mental health condition, some insurance plans cover therapy for it. Coverage can vary depending on your provider and specific plan, so it’s best to check your benefits directly. At Talkspace, you can get online therapy covered by insurance if your provider is accepted. 

Yes, Talkspace’s online therapy platform is compliant with HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and the applicable provisions of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (“HITECH”) Act. Messages exchanged with your therapist will be fully encrypted. At Talkspace, we prioritize privacy and confidentiality always.

When you seek online gambling treatment from Talkspace, you’ll get a holistic, personalized treatment plan. We offer therapy, medication management, and ongoing support from licensed, experienced professionals so you can overcome a gambling addiction.