Gambling Is Not As Fun As It Seems
The lights are flashing, the music is pulsing and you’re surrounded by other people – all of them hoping that their lucky spin or bet pays off. Gambling is a fun activity that can offer an adrenaline rush when things go your way, but it’s not always like it looks in the movies. There are certain precautions you should take before heading to the casino and even if you don’t gamble often, it’s important to set a limit on how much money you’re willing to spend.
The concept of gambling is relatively simple: it involves wagering something of value on a random event with the hope of winning something else of value, such as a cash prize. People gamble for a number of reasons, including social, financial and entertainment. Social gambling can include playing card games with friends, putting money down on a football match or placing bets with family members. Financial gambling can involve putting money down on lottery tickets, slot machines, or horse races. Entertainment gambling can include betting on games of chance such as scratchcards, roulette or bingo.
Gambling can become addictive for a variety of reasons. It can be hard to know when you’re gambling too much, and it’s easy to hide the activity from those around you. People can also try to manipulate their gambling habits by convincing themselves that they can control their behaviour by throwing dice in a specific way, sitting in a particular seat or wearing a lucky item of clothing.
Some people are more susceptible to gambling addiction than others. Pathological gambling is a form of impulse control disorder, similar to kleptomania or pyromania (hair-pulling). In fact, the Psychiatric Association recently moved pathological gambling to the chapter on addictions in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
There are many services that provide help, support and treatment for people who are suffering from problem gambling or have a loved one struggling with it. These services include self-help groups and peer-to-peer support programs modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous. They can also provide residential treatment and rehabilitation for those who need it.
If you’re worried about gambling, it’s important to talk to a professional. They can help you identify the warning signs and recommend a course of action. They may suggest that you take over managing the family’s finances to prevent a relapse or that you seek treatment for yourself or your loved one. This might include attending a residential program or joining an inpatient or residential facility. It’s also a good idea to strengthen your support network. This can be as simple as arranging to spend more time with family or friends who don’t gamble, or by joining a support group such as Gamblers Anonymous.