Tommy Recovery Coaching

How to Recover from Gambling Addiction

Hollywood productions and feature films centered on gambling are usually thrillers and crime dramas that don’t go too deeply into themes about addiction. This trend started turning around in 2014 with The Gambler, a remake of a gritty 1974 film that explored the psychological aspects of compulsion. In 2019, Uncut Gems quickly rose to cult film status, thus opening the floodgates for more recent productions such as No More Bets in 2023, Lucky Star in 2024, and My Best Bet in early 2025. The latter three films don’t pull any punches when showing the difficulties gambling addicts face in recovery. We’ll mention some of the Lucky Star plot elements to highlight strategies to overcome gambling addiction.

Classification & Diagnosis of Gambling Disorder

The current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) puts gambling addiction in its addictive disorder section. The American Psychiatric Association lists a rubric of 11 traits for the condition. Individuals showing at least four of the traits or behaviors over a year would get a gambling disorder diagnosis. 

In the film Lucky Star, the addicted main character is sarcastically called “Lucky” by his family because he’s the opposite. Lucky is purportedly in recovery, but he relapses and angrily lies to his wife after losing money he should have used to pay a debt with the Canada Revenue Agency. While doubling down on his gambling losses, he maxes out his credit cards and struggles to keep his job. Relapse, compulsion, lying, and chasing elusive gambling revenues are only four of the many traits that put Lucky in the severe gambling disorder category.

Treatment of Gambling Disorder

The therapeutic approaches for gambling disorder are similar to those applied by Carlsbad addiction recovery coaches working with people who have substance use disorders. However, there’s a pharmaceutical difference. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved any medications to treat gambling addiction. Naltrexone and psychedelics are being researched to this effect, but only when combined with counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, peer support, 12-step programs, and other established recovery strategies. Many gambling addicts deal with underlying depression and anxiety that can be treated with prescriptions, thus addressing a significant aspect of the disorder.

The Challenges of Treating Gambling Addiction

In Lucky Star, the gambler’s condition is exacerbated by his firstborn daughter taking on the role of a financial enabler who helps him hide his addiction from the rest of the family. All the challenges of recovering from alcoholism and substance abuse are amplified in gambling disorder, which is a “hidden addiction” often filled with stigma, shame, financial desperation, and the illusion of control. There are ample comorbidities to address, ranging from emotional and behavioral issues to the widespread prevalence of gambling avenues. Modern compulsive gambling is compounded by the ease of virtual casinos, online betting, day trading, and even video games with paid microtransactions available on smartphones.

Recovering from Gambling Disorder

As with substance addiction recovery, compulsive gamblers can become strict abstainers or responsible players. Those are the sensible equivalents of sobriety, and they can be achieved by anyone who wants to recover. Some patients choose to retain the services of sober lifestyle coaches to help them with the practical aspects of living without gambling, which may include managing their debts, fostering new social circles, managing triggers, and learning new life skills. Relapse prevention is a critical component of long-term success, and it’s a hallmark of sobriety coaching.

If you or a loved one is struggling with gambling addiction, reach out to an experienced interventionist. Carlsbad Sober Lifestyle Coaching offers personalized support to help you break free from the cycle of addiction and take the first step toward recovery. Contact us now to start your journey to a healthier, more fulfilling life.