Gambling is an activity in which a person stakes something of value on an event not under his or her control or influence, with the intention of winning a prize. This activity may include wagering on sports events, the outcome of a lottery or other random chance-based event, casino games, horse races, video poker, slot machines and many other forms of gambling. It is a common belief that only casino and horse race gambling can lead to addiction, but this is not necessarily true. Any type of gambling can become problematic for some people.
There are several factors that contribute to gambling becoming a problem. One of the most significant is that gambling can trigger changes in the brain’s reward system, causing an individual to gamble more frequently to feel the same level of pleasure. This can increase the likelihood of developing an addiction to gambling, and make it more difficult to stop.
Other factors that are related to gambling as a problem include sensation-seeking and novelty seeking. These factors are important because they can help explain why some people are more prone to gambling as a problem than others. For example, Zuckerman’s theory of sensation-seeking suggests that individuals take risky behaviours in order to experience states of high arousal, and this can be particularly relevant when it comes to gambling. Cloninger’s theory of need for variety also explains why some individuals are more prone to gambling as a way to satisfy a desire for new and exciting experiences.
Another factor that can contribute to a person being more prone to gambling as a problem is feeling overwhelmed or depressed. This can cause a person to avoid family and friends and spend more time alone in order to escape from their problems, which can then lead to an increased reliance on gambling. People who are feeling this way can often hide their gambling from other people, or lie about how much they spend on it.
A final factor that can contribute to a person being able to stop gambling as a problem is establishing a good support network. This can be done by reaching out to family and friends, joining a social club or reading group, taking up a hobby, or even volunteering for a charity. It is also worth considering peer-support groups, such as Gamblers Anonymous, which follows a 12-step recovery program similar to that of Alcoholics Anonymous.
If you have a friend or loved one who is struggling with gambling as a problem, there are many services that offer help and counselling. These can range from support groups to inpatient treatment and rehab programs, which are specifically aimed at people with severe gambling problems and can offer round-the-clock support. These services can also offer marriage, career and credit counseling for affected individuals and their families. It can be extremely helpful for everyone to realise that they are not alone in their struggle, and that there is a lot of help available to them.