The Dangers of Gambling
Gambling involves risking something of value – money, property or other assets – in an attempt to predict the outcome of an event whose result is determined mostly by chance. The activity is often a social one, where people place bets on games of chance in casinos, lotteries or private settings. It is practiced around the world and contributes a certain percentage to the GDP of countries where it is popular.
It’s a common pastime for friends and families, especially groups of people from the same school or work. Many groups organize special gambling trips to casinos that are maybe a few hours’ drive away, where they can gamble and have a good time. The money they win and lose depends on their luck and skill, as well as on the size of their wagers.
Although it might seem like a fun activity, gambling can be addictive and lead to addiction. In fact, it is known that compulsive gambling affects the brain’s reward and motivation centers in a similar way to drugs or alcohol. Some research has even shown that it can cause depression and anxiety. The good news is that it is possible to overcome a gambling problem, but it takes tremendous strength and courage to admit you have a problem in the first place.
Unlike substance abuse, it’s generally accepted that people with gambling disorders can recover from their addiction without the help of medication. Instead, counseling and support from family and friends is important. There are a number of different types of therapy, including psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and group therapy. In addition to counseling, some people may benefit from taking antidepressants or other medications that target mood disorders.
Pathological gambling (PG) is a serious disorder that affects about 0.4%-1.6% of Americans. Typically, it begins in adolescence or young adulthood and worsens over the years. Men develop PG at a higher rate than women, and they tend to start gambling at a younger age. Those with PG tend to experience a greater degree of problem behavior with strategic or “face-to-face” forms of gambling, such as casino gaming and poker, than nonstrategic or less interpersonally interactive forms, such as the lottery or bingo.
Those with a gambling disorder have problems with impulse control, and they may lie, steal, or cheat in order to fund their habit. They might also lose a job, educational opportunity, or relationship because of their gambling. They might also rely on others to provide money or loans for them, and they might have difficulty identifying or discussing their gambling problems with family or professionals. The comorbidity of a gambling disorder with other psychiatric disorders can complicate diagnosis and treatment. This is why it’s important to seek a professional, licensed and vetted therapist for help.
Gambling involves risking something of value – money, property or other assets – in an attempt to predict the outcome of an event whose result is determined mostly by chance. The activity is often a social one, where people place bets on games of chance in casinos, lotteries or private settings. It is practiced around…