Gambling is an activity where you risk something of value (usually money) in the hope of winning something else of value. It is an addictive activity and it comes in many forms including fruit machines, card games, scratch cards, sports betting, lottery and speculative gambling on business or stock markets. In the past, gambling was a very illegal activity but attitudes and laws have changed over time. Some people have a very high tolerance for gambling while others are more susceptible to addiction.
Problem gambling can have a huge impact on the person who is addicted and their family, friends, work and social life. It can affect both men and women and it can begin at any age. Those with gambling disorders often hide their activity and lie to those around them about how much they gamble. They may also spend more and more of their time gambling, increasing their bets in an attempt to win back money they have lost.
There are a number of different types of therapy that can help with gambling disorders, but it is important to find the right type of treatment for you. Some of the most common therapies include cognitive behaviour therapy, psychodynamic therapy and group therapy. Some people also find benefit from a combination of these approaches.
The good news is that there are many resources available for those with gambling problems, both online and in person. The National Problem Gambling Helpline provides free phone, text and chat support for those with gambling concerns. There is also a peer support group called Gamtalk which offers moderated online chat rooms for those with gambling problems. It is important to remember that a mental health professional can assess and diagnose a gambling disorder and recommend the best type of therapy for you.
If you think your loved one has a gambling problem, it is important to first try to understand their motivations. There are a number of reasons why people gamble, including for coping purposes – to forget their worries or because it makes social gatherings more enjoyable, and for entertainment – to get that rush or “high”. These motivations do not absolve the person of responsibility but they do help you to gain some insight into how a loved one might develop an addiction to gambling.
It is important to only ever gamble with money that you can afford to lose, and never with money that you need for essentials like rent or food. It is also worth considering removing your credit and debit card details from the autofill function on gambling sites, and making sure that you always have a full wallet before visiting a casino. It is easy to become engrossed in gambling and it can be difficult to keep track of the time, so make sure that you have an alarm set on your smartphone or watch so that you know when to stop. Taking a break from the table or machine can be beneficial, as can strengthening your support network by joining a book club, sport team or other activities where you can meet new friends.