Gambling involves betting something of value on a game or contest that involves luck or uncertainty, with the intention of winning something else of value. It is a common pastime for many people, but it can have negative impacts on their health and wellbeing, relationships, performance at work or school, and their finances. It can also cause problems with family, friends and colleagues. Problem gambling may even lead to debt, crime and suicide.
Gambling can happen in a variety of places and situations, from buying lottery tickets or scratchcards to playing casino games, sports events, or online gambling. It involves risking money or something of value on an event whose outcome is determined by chance, or skill if it’s a game like poker where strategy is involved. The prizes range from a small amount of money to a life-changing jackpot.
There are benefits to gambling, including socialization, mental development and relaxation. However, these benefits only occur when it’s done in moderation. It’s important to know the risks and how to stop gambling when it becomes problematic.
Identify the signs of gambling addiction and seek help. Symptoms include secretive behaviour, lying about how much you gamble, and compulsive gambling. If you’re worried about yourself or someone close to you, get in touch with a support service, such as a charity or peer support group, such as Gamblers Anonymous, which is modelled on Alcoholics Anonymous.
Learn about the effects of gambling. Understand that gambling can affect different parts of the brain and be influenced by a number of factors, such as genetics or having an underactive reward system, and can make you more impulsive and prone to thrill-seeking behaviour.
Find healthier ways to relieve unpleasant feelings, such as exercising, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, or taking up new hobbies. If you’re struggling to overcome a gambling addiction, consider therapy, such as family, marriage or career counselling. In severe cases, you can seek inpatient treatment or rehab programmes. It’s crucial to find a support network and keep it up to help you stay strong when faced with a temptation to gamble again. Don’t give up – it takes time to recover from a gambling addiction and you may slip up from time to time. If you’re unable to control your gambling habits, remove credit cards from your wallet and let someone else manage your money, set up automatic payments for bills and make sure you only carry a small amount of cash on you. You could also try a self-help programme like SMART Recovery, which provides advice and tools to help you overcome your gambling addiction. You can also talk to a trusted friend or professional counsellor.
