Gambling is risking something of value on an event that involves chance, such as a lottery or playing slots, in the hopes of winning something else of value. While gambling is a form of entertainment, some people develop problem gambling that affects their health and relationships. Problem gambling is also called “gambling disorder” or “gambling addiction.” This article discusses the impact of gambling, how it is diagnosed and treated, and resources for help.
How to recognize and treat a gambling addiction
The signs and symptoms of problem gambling can vary from person to person, but some common warning signs include:
Feeling an urge to gamble even when you don’t have the money to do so.
Gambling can lead to a variety of problems, from financial difficulties to family problems and even mental illness. Problem gambling is often a hidden addiction, but it can be recognized and treated.
Often, problem gamblers are reluctant to seek treatment or admit their problem. This may be due to shame, guilt, or fear that their gambling addiction will be viewed as a weakness or character flaw. While some problem gamblers do receive treatment in a hospital or rehabilitation program, others do not get the help they need.
Most experts agree that there is a growing role for evaluating patients in primary care settings for addictive disorders, particularly if the behavior disrupts the patient’s daily functioning and/or relationships.1 Using the MEDLINE database, we searched for articles published between 1966 and 2001 using the MeSH (Medical Subject Heading) text word “gambling.”
The results of our search are presented in the following table.
The first step to stopping a gambling habit is realizing that it is not just a game. Gambling is a big business and involves many people – from the dealers to the odds compilers and the marketing staff. They are all in it to make a profit. The second step is to understand that the game is not based on skill. It is a game of chance, and your chances of winning are determined by the numbers of other players who play the same game. The third step is to learn healthy ways of coping with unpleasant emotions. Instead of gambling, people can take up a new hobby or socialize with friends in healthy ways. They can also try to manage their moods with medication or therapy.