A small percentage of people become heavily involved in gambling – it can have serious negative personal, family and financial consequences. Often the media amplifies these adverse effects, but it is important to remember that most gamblers have a positive experience and do not develop an addiction. In fact, gambling provides socializing opportunities, mental developments and skill improvement, and can even be a good source of entertainment.
Gambling involves betting on something that is based mainly on chance – this could be a football team winning a match or buying a scratchcard. The choice is matched to the ‘odds’ which are set by the betting company and are determined by the probabilities of winning, taken from actuarial data. There are many reasons why people gamble, but they include: wanting to win money, wanting the thrill of a potential high or low, thinking about what they could do with the money if they won it, or just enjoying the idea of it. In some cases, gambling is used to meet basic human needs, such as a sense of belonging and status, and casinos are designed around this idea. Even buying insurance is considered a form of gambling, as the premium is paid in return for a death benefit, and the odds are calculated by actuarial data.
Problem gambling can cause problems at work, home and with friends and family. It can also cause financial difficulties – bills don’t get paid, credit cards get maxed out and debts build up. It can also cause mental health issues – it is not uncommon for a person to begin to believe they are ‘lucky’, which can lead to an altered system of rewards in the brain.
There are a number of things you can do to reduce your chances of developing a gambling problem. One is to learn healthier ways of dealing with boredom or stress – try taking up a hobby, exercising, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, and practice relaxation techniques. Another is to avoid situations where you might be tempted to gamble. For example, avoid places with free cocktails – the bar staff are there to earn tips, and you may be tempted to buy more drinks because they are so cheap.
Finally, strengthen your support network – it’s hard to battle any addiction without a strong support system. This can include friends and family, but you might want to consider joining a peer support group such as Gamblers Anonymous, which follows a similar structure to Alcoholics Anonymous. You can also seek help from a professional, such as a doctor or psychologist. By addressing these issues, you can begin to rebalance your life and start to enjoy it again. The positive changes to your brain chemistry can take time, but they are well worth the effort!
