What is Gambling and How Can it Affect You?
Gambling involves placing something of value on an event that is determined at least partly by chance, with the hope that you will win. The stake can be anything from money to goods to services, and the prize can range from a small amount to a life-changing sum of money. There are two main types of gambling: Social gambling and professional gambling. Social gambling can take many forms, from playing card games for a small amount of money with friends to participating in a sports betting pool or buying lottery tickets.
Professional gamblers make a living through gambling by using skill and strategy to consistently win over the long term. They typically have a thorough understanding of the game or games they play and employ a rigorous system of risk assessment and management.
Some people may become addicted to gambling in the same way that they can become addicted to drugs or alcohol. This is known as compulsive gambling, and it can have serious consequences. If you are worried that your gambling is becoming a problem, you should talk to a counsellor about it.
You should never gamble with money that you cannot afford to lose. It is important to set both time and money limits in advance, and to stick to them. It is also important not to chase your losses, as this will often lead to bigger and more frequent losses. It is also a good idea to seek help for any underlying mood disorders that could be contributing to or making worse your gambling problem.
Symptoms of gambling addiction can include feelings of excitement and euphoria when you win, as well as feelings of guilt or shame when you lose. If you feel the urge to gamble, try distracting yourself with other activities such as exercising, reading, or spending time with family and friends. You can also join a peer support group such as Gamblers Anonymous to help you overcome your gambling problems.
The Psychiatric community once viewed pathological gambling as a compulsion rather than an addiction, but in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the American Psychiatric Association has moved it to the same category as other impulse control disorders like kleptomania or trichotillomania. This indicates that the APA now recognises that gambling addiction is an actual mental health condition.
It can be hard to know when your gambling is getting out of hand, and many people deny that they have a problem. However, if you are borrowing or selling possessions to fund your gambling habit, it’s likely that your family and friends will be concerned. It is always best to listen to the people who care about you and ask for their help. If you are struggling with problem gambling, you can speak to a counsellor online or by phone 24/7. It’s free and confidential. You can also report an example sentence to the Collins team.