Gambling is any activity where you stake something of value (money or other possessions) against a random event for the chance to win a prize. It can involve any number of activities from playing casino games, to betting on sports events, to the lottery. Some people struggle with gambling, which can cause problems at home and work, impact their mental and physical health, leave them in serious debt and even result in suicide.
It’s important to understand what gambling is and how it works so that you can protect yourself and those around you from problem gambling. This article will help you do just that, with an overview of the basics of gambling, how it works, its risks and how to get help if you are concerned about someone close to you.
The first step to reducing your risk of gambling addiction is to stop using money that you need to pay bills or rent on it. Only gamble with disposable income that you don’t need to save for other purposes. This is the best way to minimise your risk and prevent you from slipping into problem gambling.
Despite the fact that most people know that gambling is an addictive behaviour, it’s still hard to give it up. There are a variety of reasons why this is, including an early big win, partial reinforcement (where the actions you take don’t necessarily lead to a positive outcome 100% of the time), boredom susceptibility, impulsivity, poor understanding of random events and the use of escape coping.
These factors can be exacerbated by the environment in which gambling takes place. Casinos, for example, are designed to make you feel special and give you comps such as free meals or drinks. In addition, you can be bombarded with advertisements promoting new gambling offers and promotions. It is no wonder that so many people fall into problem gambling.
If you are worried about someone close to you, the most important thing is to seek help. There are a variety of services that can assist you with overcoming problem gambling, including family therapy, marriage, career and credit counseling. These services can help you and your loved one to sort out the specific issues that have been created by problem gambling and lay the foundation for repairing your relationship, your finances and your career.
It’s important to remember that it is not the gambler’s fault that they have become addicted. Gambling is a compulsion, just like drugs and alcohol, which is why it was included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 2013. It is also worth remembering that most people who have a gambling addiction did not start out that way. In most cases, they were normal, healthy individuals who fell prey to a combination of psychological and environmental influences.
