The relationship of gambling disorder to obsessive-compulsive disorder
- 1Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience, The University of Chicago, USA
- 2Psychiatry, University of Southampton, UK
Abstract
Objective: Gambling disorder frequently co-occurs with other psychiatric conditions, yet its relationship with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) remains unclear. Emerging evidence suggests impulsivity and compulsivity may be inter-related rather than diametrically opposed constructs, warranting investigation of their clinical overlap. The aim of this study is to examine the rate of gambling disorder in adults with OCD and to explore associated clinical, behavioral, and treatment-related characteristics.
Methods: Adults with probable OCD were recruited via online Reddit groups for OCD, OCD clinics, and support groups and completed a cross-sectional survey. OCD symptom types were assessed using the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised, and gambling disorder was identified using the Minnesota Impulsive Disorders Interview. Additional measures included gambling severity, impulsivity, and problematic internet use. Group comparisons were conducted between participants with and without gambling disorder.
Results: Among 186 adults with OCD, 34 (18.8%) met criteria for gambling disorder. Individuals with comorbid gambling disorder demonstrated significantly greater OCD severity, particularly in ordering, checking, and neutralizing symptoms, and reported later onset of OCD. The comorbid group showed higher impulsivity, greater problematic internet use, and distinct gambling behaviors, including higher rates of online gambling, esports betting, and use of artificial intelligence tools for gambling. They were also less likely to have received pharmacological treatment for OCD.
Conclusions: Gambling disorder in adults with OCD is associated with distinct clinical characteristics, greater impulsivity, problematic internet use, and concerning treatment gaps. These findings highlight the importance of screening for gambling in OCD, and vice versa, and suggest a need for integrated treatment approaches.
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BibTeX
@article{grant2026relationship,
title = {{The relationship of gambling disorder to obsessive-compulsive disorder}},
author = {Jon E. Grant and Ibrahim H. Aslan and Megha Neelapu and Sophie Boutouis and Laurie Avila and Samuel R. Chamberlain},
journal = {CNS Spectrums},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1017/s109285292610114x},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1017/s109285292610114x},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The relationship of gambling disorder to obsessive-compulsive disorder
AU - Jon E. Grant
AU - Ibrahim H. Aslan
AU - Megha Neelapu
AU - Sophie Boutouis
AU - Laurie Avila
AU - Samuel R. Chamberlain
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/06
JO - CNS Spectrums
DO - 10.1017/s109285292610114x
UR - https://doi.org/10.1017/s109285292610114x
AB - Objective: Gambling disorder frequently co-occurs with other psychiatric conditions, yet its relationship with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) remains unclear. Emerging evidence suggests impulsivity and compulsivity may be inter-related rather than diametrically opposed constructs, warranting investigation of their clinical overlap. The aim of this study is to examine the rate of gambling disorder in adults with OCD and to explore associated clinical, behavioral, and treatment-related characteristics. Methods: Adults with probable OCD were recruited via online Reddit groups for OCD, OCD clinics, and support groups and completed a cross-sectional survey. OCD symptom types were assessed using the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised, and gambling disorder was identified using the Minnesota Impulsive Disorders Interview. Additional measures included gambling severity, impulsivity, and problematic internet use. Group comparisons were conducted between participants with and without gambling disorder. Results: Among 186 adults with OCD, 34 (18.8%) met criteria for gambling disorder. Individuals with comorbid gambling disorder demonstrated significantly greater OCD severity, particularly in ordering, checking, and neutralizing symptoms, and reported later onset of OCD. The comorbid group showed higher impulsivity, greater problematic internet use, and distinct gambling behaviors, including higher rates of online gambling, esports betting, and use of artificial intelligence tools for gambling. They were also less likely to have received pharmacological treatment for OCD. Conclusions: Gambling disorder in adults with OCD is associated with distinct clinical characteristics, greater impulsivity, problematic internet use, and concerning treatment gaps. These findings highlight the importance of screening for gambling in OCD, and vice versa, and suggest a need for integrated treatment approaches.
SN - 1092-8529
SN - 2165-6509
ER -