Gambling Disorders
Gambling involves risking something of value – money, possessions, or time – in the hope of winning a prize. It can happen in casinos, racetracks, sports events and even online. People gamble by betting on things like football games or scratchcards. They can also play games such as dice, roulette, and card games with friends or family for fun or as a way to socialize. Gambling is a popular activity worldwide and a source of revenue for governments, businesses, and charities.
Most people who participate in gambling do so without problems, but a small subset develop a gambling disorder, an addiction that can have serious personal, family and financial consequences. It is defined in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as “a persistent, recurrent pattern of gambling behavior that is characterized by increased frequency, larger stakes, or an inability to control gambling urges.”
People often think of casinos and horse races when they think of gambling. But it can also take place in many other places – gas stations, church halls, and even online. The most common form of gambling is a lottery, but other forms include betting on the outcome of a sporting event, buying a ticket to a casino, and even just making a phone call or sending a text message to place a bet. Some people who gamble are very secretive about their addiction and lie to friends or family members, while others feel the need to keep gambling for coping reasons – to distract themselves from worries or depression, to relieve stress, or to try and win back the money they have lost.
Problem gambling can harm health, relationships and work or study performance and lead to debt or homelessness. It can be difficult for people to quit gambling, but there are many treatment options available. The first step is to make a commitment to change. This can be followed by attending family therapy or marriage, career and credit counseling to address the specific issues caused by the gambling behavior.
If you suspect that you or someone close to you has a gambling problem, the Royal College of Psychiatrists recommends seeking help from a trained therapist who can offer advice and support. You can also find a range of peer-support groups for people with gambling problems, such as Gamblers Anonymous. They follow a 12-step recovery program based on Alcoholics Anonymous, which is designed to help people recover from gambling addiction.