Gambling is an activity where a person wagers something of value on an event with the intent of winning another item of value. This may be money, items such as food or drink, or even property. The outcome of the gamble is determined by chance. While some skills can improve the odds of winning (e.g., knowing the horses and jockeys in a horse race), the vast majority of gambling events are completely random and no one knows what the outcome will be.
Gamblers may be able to change their behavior and recover from their addiction with professional help. A trained therapist can teach them to recognize the root cause of their problem and work through issues that have been caused by the gambling, such as depression or stress. A therapist can also teach them healthy ways to deal with negative emotions and build a stronger support network.
Those who have a gambling problem may have one or more of the following characteristics:
1. Has made repeated unsuccessful attempts to control, cut back or stop gambling.
2. Frequently gambles when feeling distressed or depressed.
3. Often returns to gambling after losing money in order to get it back, often by increasing their bets in an attempt to ‘chase’ their losses.
4. Often lies to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling.
5. Frequently gambles with friends or family members in a public place.
6. Frequently gambles in secret or lies about the amount of money spent gambling.
7. Frequently gambles in a way that jeopardizes personal relationships, employment or educational/career opportunities.
8. Has lost significant amounts of money to gambling.
9. Is preoccupied with gambling, or spends considerable time thinking about it.
10. Has serious emotional and/or financial problems that are caused by gambling.
Although people can move across a continuum of problem severity, there is substantial evidence that gambling disorders are based on a series of behavioral traits known as ‘disinhibition’. These include sensation-and novelty-seeking, arousal and impulsiveness, as well as negative emotionality and a lack of control.
Occasional gambling can be fun, but if someone does it too often and is spending more than they can afford to lose, then this may be a sign of an addiction. To overcome an addiction to gambling, it’s important to limit the amount of money you’re willing to wager and to only gamble with disposable income. It’s also a good idea to avoid casinos and betting sites altogether if possible, and to balance gambling with other activities such as friends, family, hobbies, or work. Finally, it’s important to strengthen your support network and to stay away from places that encourage gambling by offering free cocktails or other incentives. You can also join a peer support group such as Gamblers Anonymous, which follows a model similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. This will help you find a sponsor who has successfully resisted the urge to gamble, and can provide guidance on staying clean.