Gambling is a popular activity in many countries and involves the risk of winning or losing money. People who gamble may play card games, sports events, lottery or other games of chance. It is possible to have a gambling addiction, which affects a person’s daily life. It is important to recognize symptoms of a gambling addiction and seek help.
Several things can cause a person to have problems with gambling, including mental health issues and personality traits. Symptoms of a gambling addiction include lying to family members about gambling, spending more money than you can afford to lose and playing even when you have lost a large amount of money. People who have a gambling disorder often develop problems with work and relationships. They can also have suicidal thoughts.
The brain is wired to seek rewards. When you win at a game of chance, the body produces dopamine, which makes you feel good. Problems with gambling occur when the brain becomes over-reliant on the dopamine rush, which can lead to excessive gambling and other types of addictive behaviors. Other factors that can contribute to problems with gambling include genetics, environment and coexisting mental health conditions.
In recent years, understanding of the adverse consequences of gambling has undergone a radical change. It is now known that pathological gambling is an impulse control disorder, not unlike substance abuse and other disorders. This change has been reflected in, or at least stimulated by, the evolving diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling in the various editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (called DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association since 1980.
Because there are no medications to treat gambling disorder, a person who has the condition must receive treatment in a variety of ways. Psychotherapy is a general term for a variety of techniques that aim to help you identify and change unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviors. It is usually done with a trained, licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist or social worker. Psychotherapy can help you learn to deal with stress in a healthier way, find other ways to spend your time and address any other mental health conditions that may be contributing to your gambling behavior. There are also support groups for people who have gambling problems. These groups can provide you with a place to talk about your feelings and find other people who have the same problem. They can also help you set boundaries in managing your money and take control of your finances, such as by reviewing bank and credit card statements. They can also discuss local referral resources for certified gambling counselors or intensive treatment programs in your area. Some groups also offer family therapy for loved ones of a person with a gambling disorder. This type of therapy can help families understand what their loved one is going through and how to support them. It can also help them deal with their own feelings of anger, fear and shame.