A gambling addiction is a serious and complex problem that can affect people from all walks of life. Problem gambling can ruin relationships, interfere with work and education and lead to financial disaster. People with this problem often lie or downplay their behavior, and they may start relying on other people to fund their gambling or to replace money that has been lost. They may also begin to steal money or even commit other crimes in order to finance their gambling.
Gambling involves wagering something of value on an event with a random outcome. It includes activities like lottery and bingo, but also sports events, horse races, and casino games. The skill involved in some of these activities can increase your chances of winning, but you still have to put something at risk to win. Gambling is considered a behavioral addiction because it is characterized by compulsive behavior that negatively impacts your quality of life.
The way we understand gambling has changed over time. At one point, people who had problems with gambling were referred to as gamblers with a problem. Today, we recognize that these individuals have a mental health condition, called pathological gambling (PG). PG is similar to substance dependence; both involve addictive patterns of behavior and can have severe consequences in an individual’s life.
Throughout history, gambling has been both popular and suppressed. In modern times, many people gamble for recreational purposes. However, a significant proportion of gamblers have problems that lead to negative personal and social consequences. Adverse consequences include loss of money and possessions, alienation of friends and family members, legal issues, mental illness, depression, and stress.
In some cases, people develop a gambling problem because of underlying mood disorders or other mental health conditions. Depression, for example, can make you feel numb and can cause you to turn to gambling as a way to soothe unpleasant emotions or relieve boredom. Other conditions, such as anxiety or PTSD, can also be made worse by excessive gambling.
There are a variety of effective treatments for gambling addiction, including therapy and medication. Educate yourself about these treatment options, and encourage your loved ones to seek help. It is also important to set limits with your finances. Make sure that you only gamble with money that you can afford to lose. And don’t chase your losses—that is, trying to recover money that you have already lost. That’s a recipe for more losses.
If you are caring for someone who has a gambling problem, it is important to take care of your own finances and credit. Managing your own money can help keep you from enabling the person’s gambling behaviors, and it can prevent you from feeling powerless over their decisions. You can also find support for yourself through family therapy or a gambling support group. Also, don’t forget to treat any underlying conditions that may be contributing to the gambling problem. For example, talk to your doctor about getting treatment for a mood disorder if it is making the gambling problem worse.
