The present study hypothesizes that inpatient chemically dependent pathological gamblers will exhibit greater impairment on a variety of life-functioning measures than a comparable group of chemically dependent psychiatric inpatients. 12 pathological gamblers admitted to a private psychiatric hospital & who met DSM-III criteria for alcohol or drug dependence were matched with 12 chemically dependent inpatients. 8% of the chemically dependent patients had attempted suicide compared to 42% of the chemically dependent pathological gambling patients. Results of the study suggest that one subset of substance abusers, namely pathological gamblers, have more extensive psychiatric problems than their chemically dependent alone counterparts. Treatment programs need to consider the complicating factors this dual addiction represents. (19 refs.)