Gambling is an activity in which you put something of value (money, goods or services) on a random event for the chance to win something else of value. There are several reasons why people gamble, ranging from social to financial to entertainment. For most people, gambling is a harmless social activity, but a small percentage of individuals develop serious gambling problems that can have significant negative effects on their health and wellbeing, relationships with family and friends, work or study performance, and finances.
Problem gamblers usually have mixed motives for their behaviour and are sometimes able to control their gambling, but they may still struggle to do so at times. Pathological gamblers have darker motives and are completely in the grip of addiction, so their desire to gamble overshadows all other motives, even when they are experiencing problems. They often have difficulty stopping gambling, and their cravings increase as they spend more money and lose more.
The development of bad habits in gambling can happen in stages. People in their early 20s are most likely to start gambling and, because of the way their brains mature, are more likely to develop both good and bad habits. Increasingly, young people are starting to gamble earlier than they did in the past, and many online games and video games have gambling elements that appeal to children as well as adults.
There are a number of things you can do to help someone with gambling issues. Seeking professional support and counseling can be very helpful. Therapy can help you understand your loved one’s addiction and think through options for dealing with it. Counseling can also help you cope with feelings of anger and resentment that may arise as a result of trying to manage your loved one’s addiction to gambling.
If you are having trouble controlling your urge to gamble, try avoiding places where gambling is offered and limit access to your credit cards or bank accounts. Consider making arrangements to have someone else manage your money, and keep only a small amount of cash on you at all times. There are also a number of other healthy ways to relieve unpleasant emotions, such as exercise, spending time with friends who don’t gamble and practicing relaxation techniques.
Several types of therapy are used to treat gambling disorders, including cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy. Other therapies focus on specific issues that may have contributed to your loved one’s gambling disorder, such as depression and anxiety. Some medications are also used to treat mood disorders, but they do not necessarily cure gambling disorder. The goal of therapy is to retrain the parts of your brain that cause you to feel rewards and excitement, and learn new, healthier behaviors to replace them. It can take a long time to recover from gambling disorder, but it is possible with help and support. Ultimately, you should remember that your loved one did not choose to gamble and that they do not need to be blamed for it.