Like the elderly, most people with disabilities have a fixed income and limited resources.  People with disabilities often have higher medical costs than the non-disabled person person.  The gambler with disabilities may neglect his or her medical needs in order to gamble. 

Family and friends may be less willing to confront the gambling person due to feelings of guilt, pity or ignorance about the severity of the gambling addiction.   

Gambling actually affects the brain, mind and body in many ways.  For a person with chronic pain, gambling can release dopamine and give a feeling of euphoria.  Many people with disabilities take a variety of medication to assist with signs and symptoms of their physical and emotional problems.  Everything that goes into the body has an effect on the brain. 

Gambling may have the same effect on medication as if the individual were using alcohol or illegal drugs.  Thus, benefits of medication may be hindered.  A person who gambles experiences the same signs and symptoms of withdrawal as their alcohol or drug using counterparts.

More medication is prescribed because the physician does not know about the pathological gambling and its effects on the body. 

Counselors and all health care workers are strongly encouraged to ask their patients/clients about gambling habits. 

Gamblers with disabilities have a greater need than the non-disabled person to have positive, pro-social peer support in addition to counseling by a qualified gambling addictions counselor.  Overcoming social stigma and physical barriers is an important part of the disabled gamblers return to a non-addictive lifestyle.