Gambling is the betting or staking of something of value on an uncertain event with awareness of risk and in the hope of gain. It ranges from the purchase of lottery tickets or small sums of money wagered on games of chance by people with little to no income to sophisticated casino gambling conducted for profit or as a pastime by the rich. It may involve chance or skill, and it may be legal or illegal. It can impoverish families and lead to blackmail.
Some people gamble as a way to socialize and meet new friends, and it can also be a way to relieve boredom. Others do it as a way to self-soothe unpleasant feelings or escape from everyday worries. Still others do it to experience the rush of winning. However, the more an individual indulges in this form of recreation, the greater the chances of addiction and adverse consequences.
Those with a gambling problem often have difficulty recognizing their own behavior as problematic. They may find it hard to distinguish between a desire for excitement and an impulse to try to get ahead, or they may confuse their desire to win with the need to control their lives. In addition, a person’s culture may play a role in his or her beliefs about gambling and what constitutes a problem.
The term ‘problem gambling’ was first used in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1980, but it is only recently that understanding of the problems associated with excessive gambling has undergone a significant change. Until recently, it was widely believed that people who had gambling problems were simply irrational and uncontrolled, similar to people who were addicted to alcohol. Today, it is widely accepted that individuals who are excessively involved in gambling have a psychological condition known as pathological gambling.
There are several models or theories of pathological gambling, including behavioral-environmental reasons, a general theory of addictions, and the reward deficiency syndrome. In addition, research has shown that some people have an underactive brain reward system and are genetically predisposed to thrill-seeking behaviors and impulsivity.
Some of the things a person can do to help manage his or her gambling problem include taking over responsibility for managing money, setting financial boundaries, and getting support from friends who do not gamble. It is also important to learn to relieve unpleasant feelings in healthier ways, such as exercising, spending time with friends who do not gamble, or practicing relaxation techniques. In addition, it is helpful to learn more about the consequences of gambling and how to recognize warning signs of a problem. A person who is struggling with a gambling problem should seek professional help as soon as possible. In addition, he or she should consider joining a peer support group such as Gamblers Anonymous, which is based on the 12-step model of recovery from substance abuse and is available to people of all ages and backgrounds.
