When people think about treating an addiction, gambling isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. Many are unaware that compulsive gambling is a genuine mental health condition that can be treated, similar to drug addiction.
If you’re struggling with gambling addiction, the persistent urges and financial strain can be tough to manage. However, the good news is that recovery is possible.
Today, we explore the use of naltrexone for gambling disorders. Read on to learn how it works and who it may be beneficial for.
What Is Gambling Addiction?
Gambling addiction, or pathological gambling, is more than just enjoying a trip to the casino. It’s a mental condition where someone may find it difficult to stop gambling, even when it’s causing serious harm to their life.
People with gambling addiction may continue to gamble despite losing money and destroying relationships. Their urge to gamble is stronger than any consequences.
Today, pathological gambling is one of several mental disorders related to addiction. That’s because it triggers dopamine and affects your brain’s reward system, much like drugs.
Prolonged gambling affects your nucleus accumbens. Over time, the cravings become harder to control.
What Is Naltrexone?
Naltrexone is a medication that’s usually used to treat alcohol dependence and substance use disorders. As an opioid antagonist, it’s especially effective against opioid addiction.
The use of naltrexone for treating problem gambling is fairly recent. It hasn’t been approved by the FDA specifically for gambling yet. However, the latest studies show that it can help reduce gambling urges.
Over 60% of people taking naltrexone were able to completely abstain from gambling, while 20% reduced gambling to almost nothing.
Therefore, naltrexone, along with supportive therapies, is a great treatment for gambling addiction.
Why Is Naltrexone Used for Gambling Addiction?
When you gamble, your brain releases chemicals that create excitement and reward. The positive emotions can make you want to gamble again. Over time, repeated gambling develops into a gambling addiction.
Naltrexone works by blocking your opioid receptors. These are the receptors that make gambling enjoyable.
By taking naltrexone, gambling becomes less rewarding. With this, patients are better able to resist gambling.
When Can You Take Naltrexone for Gambling Addiction?
If you’re struggling with gambling urges, you may be wondering if you can take naltrexone. In general, the answer depends on your physical health. Moreover, the severity of your gambling addiction can dictate whether you can take naltrexone.
A medical professional should ask about your medical history before they prescribe naltrexone. In some cases, they may conduct blood tests to determine whether you can take naltrexone for gambling addiction.
When Naltrexone May Not Be Appropriate
Naltrexone can’t be taken in the following cases.
- You have severe liver disease or acute hepatitis. Naltrexone can be hard on the liver and can cause liver failure.
- You recently used opioids like fentanyl, heroin, or oxycodone. These can cause severe withdrawal symptoms.
- You’re allergic to naltrexone.
- You’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
Does Naltrexone Have Any Side Effects?
Naltrexone is generally safe to use. However, you should reach out to a medical professional if you experience any of these side effects.
- Skin rashes and itching
- Dizziness, nausea, and headaches
- Fever
- Blurred vision and discomfort in the eyes
- Trouble breathing and chest pain
- Weight gain or swelling in the face, legs, and feet
- Mood changes, depression, confusion
Treating a Gambling Addiction – How to Support Naltrexone for Gambling Addiction
It’s important to note that naltrexone isn’t the full solution to gambling addiction. You still need supportive services to overcome this mental health condition.
Below are a few ways to treat a gambling addiction on top of taking naltrexone.
1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is an evidence-based treatment that teaches patients how to recognize negative behaviors. Once you understand the destructive behaviors, you can then learn how to react to challenging situations.
For problem gambling, CBT alters the behaviors driving compulsive gambling. It teaches you how to manage gambling urges to prevent relapses.
2. Support Groups
Recovering from a gambling addiction isn’t something you have to face alone. There are many support groups that can help you work through the challenges.
One example is Gamblers Anonymous. This group allows you to connect to people who have gone through the same experiences.
Support groups are a safe space where you can open up and share your thoughts. With this, you can receive motivation to continue seeking help. Plus, your peers can keep you accountable for your actions.
3. Financial Counseling
Being addicted to gambling means you face challenges with your finances. You may struggle to save money and even fall into debt. This inevitably affects your mental health.
Financial counseling is a type of counseling that helps to stabilize your financial crisis. A financial counselor can restructure your debt and build safety nets to prevent a relapse.
4. Family Involvement
Gambling addictions rarely affect one person. In most cases, the gambler’s family and loved ones can be put under strain.
Family therapy can build trust and improve communication between family members. Through this, the whole family unit can get access to the tools they need to support their loved one’s recovery.
5. Addressing Underlying Mental Issues
For some people, gambling addiction is linked to other mental health conditions. Anxiety, depression, trauma, or bipolar disorder can make recovery much more difficult.
A rehab center can address underlying mental health issues through dual diagnosis. With this, we can treat co-occurring disorders to support long-term recovery.
Other Ways to Address a Gambling Addiction
Recovering from a gambling addiction means fixing your finances and regaining stability. Along with taking naltrexone, here are a few tips that can help.
1. Stop Gambling Through Inpatient Treatment
The most crucial step is to first stop gambling. This can be difficult on your own, especially when you have a severe addiction. Therefore, you can join an inpatient program at a treatment center.
In an inpatient program, healthcare professionals watch your activities so you can stop gambling. You’ll have a structured schedule and attend recreational activities throughout the day.
Inpatient programs allow you to learn healthy habits so you can finally live free from gambling urges.
2. Hand Control of Your Finances Over to Someone You Trust
If you find it challenging to save money, you can temporarily let someone else handle your finances.
Here, it’s best to choose someone reliable and responsible.
Let them know about your goals and come up with rules to stop impulsive spending. For instance, they can pay for your bills and have them accompany you to grocery trips.
3. Ask a Professional for Advice
Every person’s recovery journey is different. That’s why asking a healthcare professional for advice is so important.
And, if ever naltrexone isn’t suitable for you, your doctor may also prescribe other pharmacological treatments. For instance, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), antidepressants, mood stabilizers, atypical antipsychotics, and nalmefene are other options to try.
With a doctor’s assistance, you can determine which treatment is best.
Long Island Interventions: How a Rehab Center Can Help
Taking the first step toward recovery isn’t easy. Many people don’t seek help because they feel ashamed or unsure whether treatment can help. However, the reality is that addiction treatment is the best first step toward a gambling-free life.
Long Island Interventions is an addiction and intervention specialist based in New York. We provide a wide array of resources for those struggling with gambling addiction.
Here are just a few services you can find at Long Island Interventions.
- Insurance and Financial Assistance: You don’t have to worry about where to get funding for your treatment. Long Island Interventions accepts most insurances and accommodates special funding needs.
- Discreet Admissions: Our admissions team is trained to handle all your needs. We keep your details private. Nobody has to know you’re attending rehab.
- Therapeutic Approach: All therapies at Long Island Interventions are evidence-based. This means we only use proven methods that have a high chance of success.
- Personalized Care: We always tailor treatments to each patient. If you have a severe addiction, we can create a specialized residential program. On the other hand, if you have a mild addiction, we can come up with a flexible outpatient program.
- Sober Living: Once you leave the treatment center, being exposed to regular life can cause a relapse. With sober living, you can learn to adjust to society in a safe and healthy environment.
- Ongoing Support: Even after you graduate from treatment, Long Island Interventions will always be there for you. We regularly check in on our clients and provide supportive services when needed.
Wrapping Up
When you’re suffering from a gambling addiction, it can feel crippling and isolating. Yet, like all mental health conditions, gambling addiction is treatable.
Naltrexone for gambling addiction is a fairly new treatment method. Still, studies show positive results when you pair naltrexone with supportive care.
Long Island Interventions is here to help you take the first step.
Remember, you don’t have to go through this tough time alone. Reach out to us to learn about our evidence-based and tailored treatment for gambling addiction.
Written by: The Long Island Interventions Editorial Team
Published on: August 20, 2026
Updated on: August 20, 2026
