Whether you gamble on lottery tickets, horse races, sports betting or casino games, gambling involves a sequence of psychological processes and events. However, the overall phenomenology of gambling is similar – a reliance on risk-taking and an expectation of receiving something of value.
People often start to recognise that they have a problem when their spending becomes excessive and they are having difficulty keeping up with bills or even paying for essentials. It’s also common for family and friends to become aware of a problem when a person starts to lie or hide evidence of their gambling activities. They may also miss socialising opportunities and start to miss work.
Many people say that they gamble to escape from feelings of boredom or depression. However, research has shown that the excitement of anticipating a big win can be as addictive as taking drugs and alcohol. The devastation of losing can also be very emotionally traumatic.
Those who are addicted to gambling have an increased chance of financial distress, including missing mortgage payments or taking out payday loans to cover losses. In addition, heavier gamblers are more likely to experience job loss and die younger than non-addicted people. The key to tackling gambling is breaking the cycle of debt and rebalancing one’s life through other healthy activities, such as exercise, socialising with friends who don’t gamble, and learning relaxation techniques. It is also a good idea to consider seeking professional help for a gambling problem.