Gambling is a risky activity involving a wager on an uncertain event with the intention of winning something of value. It is a form of entertainment and it can be enjoyable, but it is a dangerous habit for a small number of people who develop problems. These issues can have serious personal, family and financial impacts.
People with gambling addictions have an intense desire to gamble that is out of control, despite the negative consequences. They can’t stop gambling even when it causes them to experience severe psychological, emotional and financial problems. In addition, problem gamblers often lie about their gambling to others, as they feel that if they don’t tell anyone they will be able to justify their behavior.
Like other addictive substances, gambling activates the reward center of the brain, and triggers a dopamine response. Dopamine is produced when we succeed in a task, such as shooting a basketball into the net, and helps us learn how to perform better in the future. However, when a person begins to gamble compulsively, their actions change the way that dopamine is released in the brain, making it harder to stop.
The definition of gambling includes any betting or staking of something of value on an event that is determined by chance, where skill is not involved. This can include playing a game of chance or a lottery, but it also includes sports betting and horse racing. Gambling is illegal in many places, but it is common in some countries. It is also possible to gamble online.
Those with gambling addictions may feel that it is necessary to hide their gambling activities from other people, or they might spend time in secret gambling websites or apps. They may also be secretive about their spending habits, lying to family and friends about how much they are spending, or increasing their bets in an attempt to win back the money that they have lost.
Some people may become addicted to gambling due to their psychological makeup, and it is important to consider whether there are any underlying mental health problems that could be contributing to this. The DSM-IV, the manual that informs psychiatrists, defines the 10 warning signs of compulsive gambling, and these include an early big win, the size of the win, boredom susceptibility, impulsivity, poor understanding of random events, use of escape coping, and stress.
It takes tremendous strength and courage to admit that you have a gambling problem, especially if it has cost you money and strained or destroyed relationships. If you are having trouble breaking your gambling habit, you should seek help from a therapist. BetterHelp can match you with licensed, accredited therapists who specialize in anxiety and depression, and are trained to work with problematic gambling. Get started with a free assessment today!