Gambling is an activity in which people stake something of value on a random event with the intention of winning something else of value. While the majority of individuals who gamble do so for fun, a small number of individuals become addicted to gambling and continue to engage in it despite substantial negative personal, social, and financial effects. The term gambling is often associated with casinos, racetracks, and other forms of regulated gambling, but it also takes place in many other settings, including gas stations, church halls, and on the Internet. In addition to a desire to win money, some people are attracted to gambling because it releases dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter that creates a sense of reward.
There are a number of risk factors that can increase the likelihood that someone will develop a gambling problem. These include low income, depression, stress, and substance abuse, all of which can trigger gambling behavior or be made worse by it. Those with a family history of gambling problems are also at increased risk, as is a person who has a mental illness such as bipolar disorder or PTSD. Young children and adolescents, especially males, are also more vulnerable to gambling than other age groups.
A gambling addiction can be hard for a family to cope with. Family members may find themselves arguing or feeling guilty about their loved one’s urge to gamble, and they can also find it difficult to set boundaries in managing finances or credit. It is important to seek help and support for family members dealing with a gambling addiction.
It can also be helpful to learn how to relieve unpleasant feelings without gambling, such as by exercising, spending time with non-gambling friends, or practicing relaxation techniques. For those who have a gambling addiction, it is a good idea to try to limit how much money they are willing to lose and only play with cash or credit cards that can be easily replaced if needed. It can be helpful to see a professional therapist or counselor to help you work through the specific issues caused by your gambling addiction. These issues can include relationship conflicts, difficulties at work, or credit-related problems, all of which can be made worse by compulsive gambling and are not always easily resolved on your own.
While some researchers and clinicians use the term pathological gambling (PG) to describe a range of problems with gambling, others have argued that it is not an accurate description of a true psychiatric condition and that there is no such thing as a linear progression from a normal to a pathological level of gambling. Moreover, the concept of a continuum of gambling severity may be too simplistic, because it ignores differences in frequency and intensity of gambling behavior among individuals.
