What is Gambling and How Can it Affect You?
Gambling is an activity in which you stake something of value, usually money, on an event with a chance to win something else of value. This can include any type of betting, including betting on sports events, lotteries and scratchcard games. Gambling can lead to serious mental health problems, especially if you gamble for long periods of time or spend more than you can afford to lose. It can also have a negative impact on your relationships and family life.
It’s important to understand how gambling works so that you can protect yourself from becoming addicted. You can find a lot of information online, but it’s helpful to consult with a professional. They can help you develop a plan to stop gambling and address any other issues that may be contributing to your problem.
People start gambling for different reasons – it can be an adrenaline rush, a way to socialise or a way to escape from worries and stress. For some people, though, the habit becomes problematic and they begin to gamble even when it causes them harm. Some of the signs of a gambling problem are downplaying or lying to friends and family about your gambling behaviour, borrowing money to fund your gambling, hiding evidence of your gambling, spending more than you can afford to lose and avoiding activities that might prevent you from gambling (such as going to work or doing chores).
Gambling can be found in many places, including casinos, racetracks, sports events, online and at home. It’s often advertised on TV, social media or through wall-to-wall sponsorship of football teams. The advertising is designed to keep you engaged in the game and can be very persuasive, but the odds of winning are always against you.
Research suggests that addiction to gambling is associated with a combination of factors, such as risk-taking, sensation-seeking, impulsivity and low self-control. It can run in families and can start in childhood, adolescence or adulthood. It can also affect men and women differently.
It can be hard to recognise when your gambling is out of control and it’s often difficult to admit that you have a problem. If you’re ignoring bills, lying to loved ones or hiding evidence of your gambling behaviour, seek help immediately. You can call a helpline, go to a support group or try psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is a general term for several treatment techniques that aim to change unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviors. It can help you recognise and address underlying problems such as depression or anxiety, which can contribute to gambling disorders.
You can also try to minimise your losses by setting money and time limits for yourself. Only gamble with what you can afford to lose, and don’t gamble your rent or phone bill money. Set limits for yourself and never chase your losses – this will only lead to bigger and bigger losses.