Most people have gambled at some time in their lives, but gambling is also an addictive activity that can cause financial and psychological problems. The behaviour of a person suffering from problem gambling can affect their relationships with family and friends, work or study performance, health and well-being and leave them in debt or even homeless. Problem gambling can be fatal, affecting more than 400 suicides each year in England.
What is gambling?
Gambling is a wagering of something of value on an event that is determined, at least in part, by chance. This includes games of chance like slot machines and roulette, but also activities such as buying lottery or scratch tickets, playing bingo, sports betting and office pools. A person may also gamble online, through video games, or in social media such as Facebook.
Many of the same things that make someone vulnerable to substance misuse and other addictions – such as an underactive brain reward system, low motivation or poor judgement – can also influence how likely they are to develop a gambling disorder. In addition, cultural attitudes about gambling and what constitutes a problem can make it difficult for individuals to recognize that they have a gambling disorder or seek help.
If you’re worried that you or someone close to you is gambling too much, there are some things you can do to take control. Consider talking to a counsellor who understands gambling harm or joining a support group, such as Gamblers Anonymous, which uses peer support to help people recover from their gambling addictions. You could also ask your GP for advice or a referral to a specialist gambling treatment service in your area.
