Gambling is an activity where you place a bet on the outcome of a game, event, or other outcome based on chance. While most people enjoy occasional gambling and do not experience any negative effects, a small subset of individuals develop a serious gambling disorder, defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) as “a recurrent pattern of gambling behavior that causes significant distress or impairment in daily functioning” (American Psychiatric Association).
There are many different forms of gambling, including lotteries, sports betting, casino games, horse races, and video games. Despite the differences in gameplay, all forms of gambling share some common factors. First, a person chooses what they want to bet on. This could be a football match or a scratchcard, and the choice is then matched to a set of ‘odds’, which determine how much money they would win if they won the bet.
The gambler then makes their bet, which can be a single bet or multiple bets based on their total amount of available money. In some cases, the ‘odds’ are not clearly stated and may be difficult to understand. Once the bet is placed, there is no way to know if it will be a win or a loss until the game ends.
A wide variety of emotions can be associated with gambling, including excitement, anticipation, and relief or guilt. In some cases, gambling can also be very stressful, especially when it leads to financial problems and/or marital or familial discord.
Problem gambling is most often seen in young adults, but it can occur in people of any age or background. Some of the most significant challenges for people with a gambling disorder are related to family, work and social relationships. They might hide their behavior from others or lie to them, causing significant distress and even embarrassment. They might spend more and more time on gambling activities, and they might increase their bets in a desperate attempt to recoup losses or achieve a high.
The first step to overcoming a gambling addiction is to recognize that you have a problem. It takes tremendous strength to admit this, especially if you’ve lost a lot of money or strained your relationships due to your gambling. However, the more you deny your gambling addiction, the harder it will be to break free from it. It’s important to find healthy ways to fill your time, such as exercise, hobbies and socializing with friends. It’s also helpful to avoid places and situations where gambling is commonly used. For example, try to steer clear of casinos and online gambling websites. You can practice mindfulness techniques like deep breathing or meditation to help you focus on other things in your life, rather than thinking about the next big win. If you have difficulty coping with your gambling addiction, BetterHelp can connect you with an accredited therapist who can help. Take our assessment and get matched in as little as 48 hours.
