Gambling Disorder
Mumbai’s Leading Healthcare Centre
Reviewed by our clinical team · Updated June 2026
What is gambling disorder?
Gambling Disorder is a mental health condition where a person experiences persistent, uncontrollable urges to gamble despite serious negative consequences. It's not about occasionally enjoying a game or placing a bet, it's about feeling trapped in a cycle where gambling takes over your life, finances, and relationships. This condition doesn't discriminate and can affect anyone, regardless of income, education, or background.
The thrill of winning becomes a way to escape stress, loneliness, or emotional pain, but the losses pile up, creating deeper problems. Many people hide the extent of their gambling due to shame and guilt. Understanding that this is a recognised disorder not a character weakness is the first step toward breaking free and rebuilding your life.
Symptoms of gambling disorder
- Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to get the same excitement
- Repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut back or stop gambling, even when you desperately want to
- Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when trying to reduce or stop gambling
- Gambling to escape problems, relieve stress, or cope with feelings of guilt or depression
- Chasing losses—returning to gamble again to win back what you've lost
- Lying to family, friends, or colleagues about the extent of your gambling
- Jeopardising or losing important relationships, jobs, or educational opportunities because of gambling
- Relying on others to provide money to cover gambling debts or financial emergencies
Not sure if it's gambling?
A short, confidential self-assessment can help you decide whether it’s time to talk to someone.
Causes of gambling disorder
- Brain chemistry: Gambling activates the brain's reward system similarly to substances, creating a dopamine rush that reinforces the behaviour
- Genetics: Family history of gambling problems or other addictions increases vulnerability to developing the disorder
- Psychological factors: Impulsivity, competitiveness, perfectionism, or a need for excitement can predispose someone to problem gambling
- Mental health conditions: Depression, anxiety, ADHD, or trauma can drive people to use gambling as an escape or coping mechanism
- Environmental influences: Easy access to gambling (online platforms, casinos), peer pressure, or early exposure normalises the behaviour
Why is treatment important?
Untreated Gambling Disorder can lead to:
- Severe financial ruin including bankruptcy, loss of home, overwhelming debt, or legal consequences
- Breakdown of relationships, loss of trust, divorce, or complete isolation from family and friends
- Mental health crises including severe depression, anxiety, hopelessness, or suicidal thoughts
- Job loss, damaged career prospects, or inability to meet basic responsibilities
- Desperation leading to illegal activities like theft, fraud, or borrowing from dangerous sources
Our approach at Samarpan
We follow a personalised, evidence-based approach that addresses both the addiction and the underlying emotional issues.
Personalised Assessments
We conduct a comprehensive evaluation to understand your gambling patterns, triggers, financial impact, and how it affects your mental health and relationships. This creates a foundation for targeted, effective treatment.
Evidence-Based Therapies
We use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to identify and change distorted thinking patterns about gambling, along with Motivational Interviewing and relapse prevention strategies to build lasting recovery skills.
Trauma-Informed Psychological Care
We recognise that gambling often masks deeper pain—trauma, loss, anxiety, or low self-worth. Our approach is compassionate and non-judgmental, addressing the whole person and the emotions driving the behaviour.
Medical and Long-Term Support
When needed, we collaborate with psychiatrists to manage co-occurring conditions like depression or anxiety. We also provide financial counselling referrals, family therapy support, and ongoing relapse prevention to ensure sustained recovery.
How we can help
Services our team recommends for gambling — every plan starts with a conversation.
Frequently asked questions
Not sure where to start?
A care coordinator can talk you through your options and help you book the right first appointment.
Reaching out is the first step.
Whenever you’re ready, we’re here — in clinic at Churchgate or online.
In crisis or thinking about self-harm? Please contact the iCall helpline on +91 91529 87821, available 24x7.