Gambling Withdrawal Symptoms

Published by Joseph, EditorCompiled from cited sources · not yet medically reviewedUpdated Oct 26, 20263 sources

Need help now? SAMHSA’s National Helpline is free, confidential and open 24/7 in English and Spanish: 1-800-662-4357. In a mental health crisis, call or text 988. In an emergency, call 911.

For information only, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before stopping or changing any medication. Medical disclaimer

⚠ Medical warning

Problem gambling is linked to serious financial stress and suicidal thoughts. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 now. For gambling help, call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET.

Quick answer

Gambling disorder is a recognized diagnosis. The American Psychiatric Association lists restlessness or irritability when trying to cut down or stop among its signs, and says gambling can change parts of the brain involved with reward and excitement. There’s no well-defined withdrawal timeline. Only about 1 in 10 people with gambling disorder seek treatment. Free help: 1-800-MY-RESET.

Gambling withdrawal timeline at a glance

Phase	When	What you may feel	Severity	Red flags
Trying to stop	Days to weeks (not well studied)	Restlessness; Irritability; Urges to gamble, especially to win back losses	Moderate	Thoughts of suicide or self-harm: call or text 988 now

Print a daily symptom log for this timeline · My quit tracker

Symptoms, phase by phase

The APA’s description of gambling disorder includes needing to gamble with more money to get the same excitement, restlessness or irritability when trying to cut down or stop, and repeated unsuccessful efforts to control it. A 2020 systematic review (Fernandez and colleagues) found few prospective studies of short-term abstinence from gambling, so there isn’t a research-based day-by-day timeline.

Trying to stop: Days to weeks (not well studied)

Restlessness
Irritability
Urges to gamble, especially to win back losses

What makes withdrawal longer or shorter

Money pressure. The APA lists “chasing” losses (going back to gamble to win back money lost) as a sign of gambling disorder.
Other conditions. The APA notes that co-occurring conditions such as depression or anxiety may need treatment too.

When to see a doctor or get help now

Call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET.
Call or text 988 for thoughts of suicide.
Ask about certified gambling counselors or treatment programs.

Not sure where to start? Call SAMHSA’s free, confidential helpline at 1-800-662-4357, 24/7. See Get Help.

Tapering

There’s no evidence-based taper for gambling. The APA says therapies used include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic, group and family therapy, and that some medications may help co-occurring depression or anxiety.

Tips for getting through it

Self-exclude from casinos and betting apps
Put your finances in order; the APA suggests family members can help by taking control of family finances
Join a support group such as Gamblers Anonymous
Call 1-800-MY-RESET

Frequently asked questions

Is gambling withdrawal real?

The APA lists restlessness or irritability when trying to stop as a sign of gambling disorder.

How long does it last?

There’s no well-defined timeline. The APA says treatment can slowly help reverse the brain changes linked to gambling.

Where can I get help?

The National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-MY-RESET (call or text).

Next steps

Talk to others going through it. Share your experience or ask questions on the Day-by-Day Check-ins board in our community forum. Forum posts are personal experiences, not medical advice. Please read the community guidelines.

Sources

Last reviewed: October 25, 2026. Researched and written by Withdrawal Timelines from the cited sources. This article has not yet been reviewed by a medical professional. See How We Review and our Medical Disclaimer. This is general information, not medical advice.

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