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Gambling is an activity in which a person risks money or something of value for the chance to win. It can be fun and can be addictive, but it can also have negative effects on health and relationships.
Often people who gamble do it for a variety of reasons, such as to release stress or improve their mental health. Understanding why a person is gambling can help you support them in changing their behaviour.
Definition
A gambler takes a risk that his or her bet will pay off. Some games (like sports, poker, or dice) involve a betting component that is integral to the game’s structure and purpose.
Gambling can trigger feelings of euphoria and reward (linked to the brain’s dopamine system). Some people also gamble as a way to take their minds off their problems or socialize with friends.
For others, gambling is a source of frustration or anxiety. It can interfere with relationships, cause financial issues, and result in physical health risks.
The term “problem gambling” is used by many researchers to describe gamblers who fall short of diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling but whose behavior may be chronic. These gamblers often have significant emotional, social, and economic consequences and should be treated as a mental disorder.
Signs of a problem
When gambling is done in moderation, it can be a fun, exciting pastime. However, it can become a problem if it starts to negatively impact other areas of life like work or school performance, finances and relationships.
The signs of a problem with gambling can often be difficult to recognize. They may not show any outward symptoms or physical symptoms like those with alcohol or drug addictions, but they are often accompanied by a range of other emotional, social and behavioural changes.
If you are worried about a friend or family member, it is important to talk to them and listen to their concerns. You can also stage an intervention to discuss the issue with them and encourage them to seek professional help if they need it.
One of the most common signs of a gambling problem is a lack of control over their behaviour. They may not be able to quit or cut back on their gambling despite their best efforts. They might also lie to their loved ones, therapists or others about their gambling habits.
Treatment options
Gambling can be a life-altering addiction that affects you and your family in many ways. You can face financial ruin, the loss of a home or business, and other serious issues as a result.
Treatment options for gambling include behavior therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), pharmacological medications and support groups. You may also need counseling to address underlying mental health problems and other lifestyle issues that lead to your gambling behavior.
Medications can help reduce the urge to gamble and improve impulse control. They can also be used to treat other comorbid psychiatric disorders that may drive or make the gambling disorder worse.
Motivational enhancement strategies can help you overcome ambivalence and resistance to change. These brief interventions can be used as part of a treatment protocol or on their own to increase motivation for change.
Prevention
Gambling can be harmful to your health, relationships and finances. If you think that gambling is causing problems for you or your loved ones, support and treatment are available.
People at risk of gambling problem include young adults, adults who have a history of mental health problems and older people. They may also be more likely to have certain personality traits such as being competitive, impulsive, restless or easily bored.
Prevention programmes that target the vulnerable are an important part of reducing gambling harms. These should be designed and delivered with appropriate evaluation in mind.
This will help to determine what activities, interventions and options are effective at preventing gambling harms and can be adapted to deliver the most impact. It will also enable commissioning bodies to base their funding and prioritisation decisions on evidence of what works. It will also improve co-ordination and communication between the different parties involved, to ensure that those most at risk of gambling harms receive support and help in a timely and responsive manner.