Gambling is an activity where someone places something of value at risk (typically money) on an event with an element of chance and the potential to win a larger amount of money. It can be a fun and exciting way to pass the time, but it is important to know when you should stop and consider seeking help if things become problematic.
Gambling occurs in many forms, from simple card games with friends or family to professional sports and horse races organized by large commercial establishments. In all of these forms, the participants typically wager money or chips. Sometimes, gambling is conducted with materials that have a tangible value but are not actual money, such as marbles in a game of marbles or collectible trading cards in games like Magic: The Gathering.
Regardless of the type of gambling, there are a number of factors that increase the risk of developing an addiction. These include a desire to feel good and an inability to control impulses. People who develop an addiction often feel that they have no other way to relieve stress or tension in their lives and may even blame others for their problems.
In addition to these factors, there are several psychological and environmental components that contribute to the development of a gambling addiction. These factors can include the influence of family members, peer pressure, and an individual’s personal history. In many cases, individuals who develop a gambling addiction will experience significant emotional and social distress in their lives.
Scientists are still trying to understand how and why a person becomes addicted to gambling. A consensus is emerging that the most important factor is impulsivity. Although it is not clear how impulsivity directly causes gambling, there is evidence that it can trigger the onset of compulsive gambling.
Most people gamble without developing an addiction. However, there is a small group of individuals who become seriously involved in gambling and continue to gamble despite significant and negative personal, social, and financial consequences. This is referred to as compulsive gambling or pathological gambling. Traditionally, the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has included 10 warning signs of pathological gambling.
While some researchers believe that the emergence of pathological gambling is caused by changes in brain chemistry, others have found that it is a combination of factors that cause an individual to begin and continue to gamble in an addictive manner. The research in this area continues to advance, with new and more sophisticated tools to better assess gambling behavior.
If you are concerned that your gambling is affecting your health, please contact your physician or call the National Council on Problem Gambling at 1-800-522-4700 for more information. You can also set boundaries in managing your money; take control of family finances; review bank and credit card statements; and speak to a counselor about local referral resources for certified gambling counselors or intensive treatment programs. In addition, you can practice some basic healthy coping strategies such as exercise, yoga, and meditation.