Gambling is risking something of value on an event that is determined by chance in the hope of gaining something of value. It is an activity that has existed in virtually every society since prerecorded history and has been incorporated into many local customs, ceremonies and rites of passage throughout the centuries. It involves a combination of elements, including consideration, risk and a prize. The term gambling is often used to refer to activities such as slot machines and casinos, but it also includes playing bingo, buying lottery or scratch tickets and betting on sports events.
The onset of gambling problems is often triggered by a variety of personal and environmental factors. Some people are particularly vulnerable to developing gambling disorders, and the incidence of these problems is rising as the availability of gambling opportunities increases around the world. The most susceptible groups include people living below the poverty line who have a greater potential to lose more than they can afford, young people, and men and boys, who are more likely to develop gambling addictions. People who start gambling at an early age are also at higher risk for developing problem gambling.
Historically, the psychiatric community viewed pathological gambling as more of a compulsion than an addiction and placed it in the category of impulse control disorders along with kleptomania and pyromania (acts of burning or pulling). However, in recent years, it has been argued that this classification is inaccurate and that pathological gambling should be treated like other substance abuse problems. In the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association, pathological gambling has been moved from the category of impulse control disorders to the section on addictive disorders.
Research has shown that people who develop gambling problems experience a range of negative emotional responses, including stress, regret and guilt. These feelings can build up even when a person does not gamble very much or very often, and they can become more intense when gambling is no longer possible. The occurrence of these unpleasant emotions may trigger other problems such as depression, relationship difficulties and financial instability.
If you or someone you know has developed a gambling addiction, it is important to seek professional help as soon as possible. Treatment programs can be highly effective in helping individuals overcome their compulsive gambling behavior and learn to cope with stressful or challenging situations in healthier ways. In addition, therapy can address any underlying mood conditions that may have contributed to the development of a gambling problem and assist in rebalancing brain chemistry. In the most severe cases, a person who is heavily addicted to gambling may resort to self-harm or suicide. If this occurs, please seek emergency help or call a suicide hotline.