Dealing With Gambling Problems
Gambling involves risking something of value, usually money, on an event with a chance of winning or losing. It may also involve speculating on business, insurance or stocks. Some types of gambling are televised lottery games, casino games, poker, horse racing and sports events. There is also online gambling. While some people gamble for pleasure and are able to control their spending, for others it becomes a serious problem. It can damage their physical and mental health, relationships, performance at work or study and even get them into trouble with the law. According to Public Health England, gambling harms the health of more than half of the population.
There are many reasons why someone might gamble, from coping with depression to simply wanting to win money. It is important to understand these motives when dealing with a loved one who is struggling with gambling addiction. However, it is not helpful to become angry with your loved one for their reasons. It is equally important to remember that gambling is not just about the wins and losses – it is a complex activity that causes all sorts of emotions including regret, stress and guilt.
Some researchers have found that a high level of impulsiveness is a predictor of gambling problems. This is partly because people who are impulsive tend to engage in riskier behavior and bet more money. However, it is difficult to distinguish between the effects of impulsiveness and other factors that contribute to the development of gambling behaviors such as sensation-seeking, arousal and negative emotionality.
Despite the obvious risks, some individuals continue to gamble and are not aware that their behaviour is a problem. They may hide their gambling from family members and lie to their friends. They may continue to gamble despite losing money and even attempt to recover it by chasing their losses. However, chasing your losses will only make you lose more. This is called the “gambler’s fallacy.”
If you suspect that a loved one has a gambling problem, there are steps you can take to help them. You can strengthen your support network and help them find new activities. You can limit their access to credit cards, arrange for bills to be paid automatically and close online betting accounts. You can also encourage them to join a peer support group such as Gamblers Anonymous, which follows a similar model to Alcoholics Anonymous and provides valuable guidance and advice to those who struggle with gambling addiction.
To prevent gambling addiction, it is vital to only ever gamble with disposable income and not use money that you have to pay bills or rent with. It is also important to set aside a certain amount of time for gambling and to stop when this time is up. You should also never gamble while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Finally, you should tip your dealers regularly, either by handing them a chip and saying ‘This is for you’ or placing the bet for them.
Gambling involves risking something of value, usually money, on an event with a chance of winning or losing. It may also involve speculating on business, insurance or stocks. Some types of gambling are televised lottery games, casino games, poker, horse racing and sports events. There is also online gambling. While some people gamble for pleasure…