Gambling involves risking something of value, such as money or material goods, on an event that is based on chance and has an uncertain outcome, such as the roll of a dice, the spin of a roulette wheel, or the finish line in a horse race. While most people who gamble do not experience problems, some develop a pathological gambling disorder, as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association. The term “pathological” in this context means that the person’s gambling causes significant distress or impairment in daily functioning and affects their social or family relationships.
People may gamble for various reasons, including to make money, as a form of entertainment, to relieve boredom, or to escape from other stressful life situations. However, the main factors that influence whether gambling is problematic include the individual’s level of impulse control and their tendency to engage in high-risk activities. In addition, the impact of gambling on the individual’s psychological and emotional well-being can also vary from one person to the next.
The risk of developing a gambling problem increases with age. For example, adolescents and teenagers are more likely to be prone to poor impulse control than older adults. This is partly due to the fact that the brain does not fully mature until the age of 25, making people in this age group more likely to take risks and make bad decisions.
Problem gambling is often a hidden activity, with people concealing their betting or lying about how much they are spending, in an attempt to avoid guilt and shame. In addition, many people who have a gambling problem try to rationalise their behaviour, arguing that it is just a little bit of fun or that they will win back the money they’ve lost.
Gambling is an inherently addictive activity because it requires the gambler to take a risk on an event that is unpredictable. Therefore, the most important thing to do to prevent a gambling problem is to limit the amount of money that you can spend on the game and never to use money that you need for essential living expenses or to pay bills. It is also a good idea to keep track of your gambling activity and be sure to only gamble with disposable income.
If you are worried about a friend or family member’s gambling habits, it is important to talk to them about the issue. Despite the stigma associated with talking about addiction, it is possible to overcome a gambling problem and rebuild your life. You can get support from a variety of organisations, some of which specialise in helping with addictions. In addition, there are several online services that offer help and support for people with gambling problems, including BetterHelp, which matches you with a therapist who can help with depression, anxiety, relationships, and more. You can take a quick assessment and be matched with a therapist in as little as 48 hours.
