Dealing With Gambling Problems

Gambling involves putting something of value on the outcome of a random event, with the intent to win a prize. It’s an addictive activity that has both negative and positive impacts on gamblers, their significant others, and society. These impacts can be measured using health-related quality of life (HRQL) or disability weights, and can be used to inform gambling policies.

People gamble for many reasons, including for the excitement of winning, to socialize, or to escape from stress and worries. However, if someone becomes dependent on gambling and it affects their daily life, it may be time to seek help. The good news is that there are resources available to help them stop gambling. These include inpatient treatment and support groups.

In order to understand why people gamble, it’s helpful to think about the brain chemistry involved. A person’s brain is wired to be stimulated by reward, so when a gambling experience is fun and rewarding, it activates the brain’s pleasure centres. But as a person gambles more and more, their brain can become overstimulated and they need to gamble more to feel the same amount of pleasure. This is why it’s so important to recognise and address the problem before it gets out of control.

For gamblers who are experiencing problems, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be an effective treatment. CBT is a form of psychotherapy that helps people change the way they think and act, particularly when they’re feeling depressed or anxious. It looks at beliefs around betting and how these can be distorted, such as thinking you’re more likely to win than you really are or believing certain rituals, such as wearing a lucky hat or shoe, can bring you luck.

Another benefit of CBT is that it can help you manage your feelings, such as anger or guilt. When you’re dealing with an addiction, these feelings can get out of control and make the problem worse. An experienced therapist can teach you how to control your emotions and deal with them effectively, so that you don’t take out your frustration on those around you or gamble to try to compensate for them.

It’s also important to remember that your loved one did not choose to gamble excessively and it is not their fault. It’s a habit that is triggered by an underlying condition, and needs to be addressed before it can be overcome. Pathological gambling used to be considered a compulsion, but is now recognised as an addiction similar to substance addiction. It can be very difficult to break the cycle, but it is possible with professional help and support from family and friends.