The Dangers of Gambling
It’s fun to try and beat the house, win some money or even splurge on a night out at the casino. But when it becomes a serious problem, gambling can cause health issues – such as debt and anxiety. This article looks at the dangers of gambling, how to identify a gambling addiction and what help is available.
The definition of gambling is risking something of value – usually money – in an attempt to win something else of greater value. It can include anything from a couple of bucks on a lottery ticket to putting a wager on your favourite sports team. The main thing that all forms of gambling have in common is the risk involved.
Gambling is also often linked to addictions, and people with an addictive personality can find it very difficult to stop gambling. Problem gambling is often a hidden addiction, with no outward signs or symptoms that are easy to spot. This makes it particularly dangerous and hard to treat, but there are steps that can be taken.
Problem gambling can affect people of all ages and backgrounds, but it is more common in men than in women and tends to start during adolescence. People who are lonely or have other mental health problems are at higher risk of developing a gambling disorder, as are those who are on low incomes. Young people, especially boys and men, may be more at risk because they can have a lot to lose if they do not manage their money well.
People gamble for many reasons, including to enjoy the adrenaline rush of winning and to socialise or escape worries and boredom. However, if you’re betting more than you can afford to lose or spending longer than you planned at the casino, it’s important to recognise that you could have a gambling problem. There are many ways to get help if you think you or a loved one has a gambling problem, including self-help tips and treatment options.
There is a growing role for the evaluation of patients within primary care settings for addictive disorders, including pathological gambling. This article reviews the rationale for viewing pathological gambling as a disorder, and discusses research on its relationship to health and screening strategies. It also discusses the evidence base for assessing and treating pathological gambling in a medical setting. The Medline database (1966 to present) was searched using the MeSH terms “gambling” and “addiction.” Articles were selected if they met the following criteria:
