Help For Gambling Problems
Gambling is when people risk money or other items of value to predict the outcome of a game involving chance, for example scratchcards, fruit machines, betting with friends, or on sporting events such as horse and greyhound races and football accumulators. It can also be a form of speculation, including on business, insurance or stock markets. Some people have a problem with gambling to an extent that it causes harm.
People who have a gambling problem may be aware that they are struggling with it, but they may still try to minimise the issue or deny that it is causing them problems. They may even hide their gambling from others and start lying about how much time they are spending on it. This can lead to debt, ruined relationships and even suicide.
If you are concerned about a loved one’s gambling, it’s important to seek professional help. You can talk to a counsellor about your concerns, or you can find information and support in the Better Health Channel fact sheet ‘Gambling – helping your loved one’. It’s also important to set money and time limits for yourself when gambling. This will help you control how much you spend and avoid chasing losses, which can quickly lead to bigger losses.
There are a number of different treatment options for those with gambling problems, depending on the person. These include family and individual therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy. Peer support groups are also useful for some, particularly those who are struggling with a gambling addiction. These can be found through organisations such as Gamblers Anonymous, which offers a 12-step program based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous.
A therapist can also teach you strategies to manage your gambling, such as self-talk and coping skills. You can use these techniques to challenge the urge to gamble and increase your confidence in your ability to manage your finances. You might also benefit from joining a support group to reduce social isolation and find ways to replace the thrill you get from gambling with other activities, such as taking up a hobby or volunteering for a worthy cause.
Gambling is a very common activity, with four in five Americans reporting that they have gambled at some point. It takes place every day, both legally and illegally, in casinos, streets and homes. In 2014, the American Psychiatric Association moved pathological gambling from a behavioural disorder category to a new chapter on addictive disorders, reflecting the similarities between it and other impulse-control disorders, such as kleptomania (stealing) and pyromania (fire-setting). It is also similar in many ways to substance abuse disorders. These new changes will hopefully make it easier for clinicians to identify and treat these disorders.
Gambling is when people risk money or other items of value to predict the outcome of a game involving chance, for example scratchcards, fruit machines, betting with friends, or on sporting events such as horse and greyhound races and football accumulators. It can also be a form of speculation, including on business, insurance or stock…