Gambling is any game where you stake something valuable in exchange for a chance to win a prize. It can include lottery tickets, sports betting and games of skill. People gamble for many reasons, from the thrill of winning to socialising and escaping stress or worries. It can become a problem if you start to lose control and risk putting yourself in financial trouble. It is important to seek help if you are concerned about your gambling behaviour.
What are the warning signs of a gambling addiction?
Often, friends and family will be the first to notice that your gambling has gone too far. They may start to worry about your spending, and you might lie or hide money from them. You might also start to miss important events or make empty promises, which can create tension and emotional distance in your relationships.
Gambling can be a dangerous activity, especially if you have underlying mental health issues like depression or anxiety. These conditions can be made worse by compulsive gambling, and can lead to other problems like drug or alcohol abuse. You may also find that you are unable to sleep, and feel stressed or anxious all the time. If you are concerned about your mental health, speak to your GP for advice and support.
Many factors can contribute to problematic gambling, including genetics and personality traits. People who are genetically predisposed to thrill-seeking behaviour and impulsivity are more at risk of developing a gambling disorder. Similarly, personal values and beliefs can influence the way you see your gambling activity and whether or not it is harmful. For example, some cultures consider gambling a normal pastime, which can make it harder to recognize a problem.
The brain’s reward centre is activated when you gamble, and it releases a feel-good chemical called dopamine. This can trigger a reward loop, where you keep gambling in the hope of winning more. It is important to recognise that gambling does not provide long-term rewards, and try to find other ways to feel good.
People with mental health problems are more likely to develop a gambling problem. This is because depression and anxiety can trigger gambling, and vice versa. People with bipolar disorder can experience manic episodes, which can cause them to take big risks and make large bets.
If you are worried about your mental health, talk to your GP or psychologist for advice. They can refer you to a specialist, or recommend self-help materials and peer support groups. If you have a gambling problem, there are many treatment options available. These include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which helps you change the way you think about gambling, and motivational interviewing, which empowers you to make changes to your behaviour.
You can reduce the temptation to gamble by limiting your access to money. This might mean getting rid of credit cards, letting someone else be in charge of your finances, closing online betting accounts or avoiding places where you normally gamble.
