Gambling is the placing of a value, usually money, on the outcome of an uncertain event whose result may be determined by chance. It can also refer to games where skill is used to improve chances of winning (e.g. card games, sports betting). People who develop gambling problems are often influenced by their environment and family, and it is possible that some people are genetically predisposed to developing these problems. In addition, certain emotional states such as depression and boredom are associated with an increased risk of developing gambling problems.
Some of the negative effects of gambling include strained or broken relationships, financial difficulties and the development of harmful coping strategies. These problems can lead to self-harm or even suicide in extreme cases, although support usually reduces these risks.
People who are unable to control their gambling behaviour are likely to experience repeated ‘lows’ and feelings of worthlessness, which can be difficult to overcome without professional help. This can also have a negative impact on the quality of their life and the relationship with loved ones, and may cause them to become irritable and argumentative. They may lie to their friends and family or steal money from them, which can damage those relationships irreparably. In addition, a person who is heavily involved in gambling can lose their job and find themselves in debt. Keeping up with debt payments can be extremely challenging, and it is not uncommon for people with serious gambling problems to take out pay day loans or rely on stealing money from relatives and friends.
There are a number of ways to manage problematic gambling, including therapy and support groups. Changing the way that you think about gambling and learning how to cope with other unpleasant emotions in healthy ways is an important part of overcoming this problem. It is also important to get rid of credit cards, have someone else in charge of your finances, close online betting accounts and only keep a small amount of cash with you.
The most significant step towards overcoming gambling addiction is recognising that you have a problem. This can be a very difficult decision to make, particularly if you have lost a lot of money and strained or broken relationships as a result of your gambling habits. However, there is hope, and many other people have overcome this type of addictive behaviour.
The most common triggers for gambling problems include the expectation of replicating an early big win, boredom susceptibility, impulsivity, use of escape coping and stressful life experiences. There are also some specific personality traits that can be linked to gambling addiction, such as a low sense of personal responsibility and an inability to deal with conflict. Some types of gambling are more harmful than others, and the risk factors for developing gambling problems vary between individuals. These include gender, age and the extent to which a person has been exposed to gambling marketing. Despite the negative consequences, there are some benefits to gambling, including socialization and mental developments.
