Gambling is a recreational activity in which people stake something of value on an uncertain event with the hope of gaining more. It can range from scratchcards and betting on sports teams to more sophisticated casino gambling. Whether legal or illegal, it is not seen as a socially desirable activity and can lead to financial ruin for some individuals, and even families. It can also encourage dishonesty, blackmail and other forms of criminal behaviour.
Unlike some other recreational activities such as playing video games or going to the cinema, where it is easy to see how much time and money you have spent, gambling can be very hard to monitor and keep track of. Many gamblers hide their gambling habits from family and friends or lie about how much they spend. Others may even begin to steal money to fund their gambling habit. If this happens, it is important to seek help as quickly as possible.
Problems with gambling can have serious effects on a person’s health and well-being, often leading to debt, bankruptcy, divorce, family breakup, job loss, depression, suicide, substance abuse and other problems. These problems can be made worse by mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, which are often triggers for compulsive gambling. It is therefore important to seek help for underlying mood disorders as well as overcoming problems with gambling.
The underlying causes of gambling problems are complex and vary from one individual to another. Nevertheless, there are some common risk factors that can increase the likelihood of becoming addicted to gambling. These include a history of other impulsive behaviors, such as drug or alcohol use, family or peer pressure to gamble, and a predisposition to poor impulse control.
Gambling can cause psychological and physical harm, including increased stress, a decrease in self-esteem and feelings of guilt, shame or anger. It can also have a negative impact on a person’s relationships and work performance. There is no single form of gambling that is more addictive than others, and people can experience problems with all types of gambling, including lottery, casino (e.g. slot machines), sports gambling and online gambling.
While the psychiatric literature has focused on the similarities between pathological gambling and substance dependence, it is important to recognize that these similarities are largely theoretical. Research scientists, psychiatrists, other treatment care clinicians and public policy makers approach these issues from a wide variety of perspectives, depending on their disciplinary training, experience and special interests.
It is possible to overcome a gambling problem by making healthy lifestyle changes, including seeking support, assistance and counselling. It is also helpful to seek treatment for any underlying mood disorders that may be contributing to your gambling behaviour, such as depression, anxiety or substance abuse. This can help to address the root causes of the gambling behavior and lay the foundations for repairing your relationships, work performance, finances and general health. For some people, this can require residential or inpatient care.
