Whether it’s betting on your favourite team or the next lottery drawing, gambling is any activity where you stake something of value (money or possessions) for the possibility of winning more. While most people gamble for fun, a small number develop a problem that’s serious enough to warrant treatment.
Gambling is a complex behavior that involves both the physical and emotional aspects of your life. Even if you only play occasional games, it can have negative effects on your health, relationships and finances. Here are some signs to look for:
Problem gambling can cause you to feel like you’re always on edge. You may become short tempered, easily annoyed or even depressed. Moreover, you might experience stress, guilt and regret. And, if you’re in debt, you might feel hopeless and unable to escape from your financial situation.
Some gambling is purely chance and some is partly based on skill. However, the most common form of gambling is the laying of bets on events that are determined by chance, such as the outcome of a game or event. This form of gambling usually takes place in pari-mutuels, or racetracks, lotteries, casinos (including slot machines), poker rooms, card clubs and sports books.
The most common causes of a gambling addiction are financial, social, and personal issues. For example, someone who has a gambling addiction often lies to conceal the extent of his or her involvement in gambling, and may be secretive about their spending habits. They might also try to get back money they have lost by increasing their bets, or may borrow from family members and friends to do so. Additionally, people with gambling addictions often jeopardize their careers and educational or professional opportunities to satisfy their gambling urges.
To prevent gambling addiction, you should limit your access to funds, set limits on credit cards and other types of debt, and keep a limited amount of cash on hand at all times. You can also seek support from a peer support group, such as Gamblers Anonymous, which is modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous. Lastly, you can participate in therapeutic activities such as family therapy and marriage, career and credit counseling to help you deal with the specific problems caused by gambling addiction. These kinds of therapeutic interventions are a good starting point for getting on the road to recovery.