Gambling Disorders
Gambling is the act of risking money or something of value in a game of chance, either by buying lottery tickets, placing bets on sports events or playing casino games such as blackjack or roulette. People gamble for a variety of reasons, some of which include: to make money; for social interaction; to relieve boredom; or as a way to escape problems or negative emotions.
The most common form of gambling is betting on sporting events with real money. This is a major international commercial activity, with over $10 trillion of legal wagers placed annually. Lotteries, where participants purchase tickets for a drawing to win a prize, are also common in many countries. In addition, many people participate in gambling by wagering items that have a monetary value but are not actual cash, such as marbles or collectible trading cards (like Magic: The Gathering).
Problematic gambling involves a preoccupation with gambling and an inability to control impulses to gamble. Individuals with this disorder may: a) lie to family members or therapists about their gambling; b) spend more than they can afford to lose; c) spend time away from work, school or other activities to gamble; d) hide evidence of gambling or try to avoid it; and e) be tempted to steal or commit fraud in order to fund a gambling habit.
A person with gambling disorder often feels guilty about their behavior, and they may have difficulty recognizing the nature of their problem. Despite these difficulties, the disorder can be treated by psychotherapy or medications. Psychotherapy involves talking with a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or clinical social worker, who can help a person identify and change unhealthy emotions and thoughts. There are a number of different types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Medications can also be used to treat gambling disorders. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not approve any medications specifically for the treatment of gambling disorders. In some cases, medications can be helpful in reducing the severity of symptoms of other disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder.
Longitudinal studies of gambling disorder are increasingly common, but they face a variety of challenges. These include the large financial commitment required for a multiyear study; the challenges of maintaining research team continuity over the years; and the problem that longitudinal data confound aging and period effects (i.e., a respondent’s newfound interest in gambling could be due to turning a certain age or because a local casino opened).
Although the information in this article cannot prevent gambling problems, it can provide some important tips for those who want to play responsibly. One of the most important things to remember is to always play with money you can afford to lose. It is also a good idea to set a gambling budget for yourself and stick to it, and to never gamble with money that you need to save for bills or rent. Finally, it is important to stay clear of places that sell gambling products, as they are designed to keep you gambling.