Recognising the Signs of Compulsive Gambling
Gambling is a form of entertainment where you stake something valuable in the hope of winning a prize. The prize could be money, goods or services. It is an activity that can occur in many places including casinos, racetracks and on the internet. While gambling may be entertaining to some people, it can have negative effects if it becomes out of control. It is important to recognise the signs of compulsive gambling and seek help if it affects you or someone you love.
It is common for people to gamble in order to relieve boredom or stress, and as a way of socializing with friends. However, when gambling becomes problematic it can cause significant personal and financial harm. When the pleasure gained from gambling no longer outweighs the costs it can become a destructive habit that leads to a downward spiral. Some of the warning signs of gambling addiction include: the expectation of an early big win, a distorted sense of risk and reward, use of escape coping, boredom susceptibility, impulsivity, a poor understanding of random events and depression.
Some people may begin to hide their gambling or lie about how much time and money they are spending on it. Others may turn to substance abuse in an attempt to cope with their addiction. This can have serious health consequences and damage family and work life. The good news is that there are ways to prevent a gambling problem from developing. Having an open and honest discussion with a trusted friend or professional counsellor can be a good starting point. Reducing risk factors such as the use of credit cards and carrying large amounts of cash can also be helpful. You should also avoid gambling venues and try to socialise in other ways such as exercising, taking up a new hobby or visiting with family and friends who don’t gamble.
Although gambling has many benefits such as entertainment and socialising, it can have a detrimental impact on the mental, emotional and physical health of those who engage in it to an unhealthy extent. It is not uncommon for people to become addicted to gambling and this can have serious personal and financial repercussions.
It has been found that gambling can lead to other problems such as poor eating habits, depression and loss of employment. It can also damage relationships and cause conflict and tension within families. A lot of people who suffer from a gambling disorder do not even realise that they have a problem because there are no outward symptoms like addiction to drugs or alcohol.
There are a number of different treatments and interventions for people who have a gambling disorder, such as family therapy and marriage, career or credit counseling. These can be helpful in identifying the underlying causes of the problem and helping to break the harmful cycle of gambling. A therapist can also help individuals to find healthier ways of relieving unpleasant feelings and escaping boredom such as exercise, spending time with friends who don’t gamble or learning relaxation techniques.
