Gambling is the act of risking something of value (money, goods, or services) on a random event, such as the roll of a dice, a spin of a roulette wheel, or a horse race. It is a common activity in casinos and other gambling establishments, where time is rarely kept and clocks are often not present, so it can be easy to lose track of how long you’ve been gambling for.
While it can be fun and rewarding, it is also a dangerous hobby. In addition to losing money, it can lead to depression and anxiety, which in turn can further contribute to compulsive gambling. It is therefore important to know the signs and be aware of the risks involved.
People with mental health issues, or those with genetic predispositions to addictive behaviour, are much more likely to become addicted to gambling. This is due to their tendency towards impulsive behaviour, meaning they find it difficult to make decisions that consider the long-term consequences of their actions. Often, they will continue to gamble until they experience a win, which triggers the reward system in their brain and provides them with a short-term fix.
The problem with this is that it can quickly escalate into a cycle of losing and winning, where the gambler becomes obsessed with trying to win back their losses. This can cause them to spend even more money, which can have devastating effects on their finances, family and relationships.
Another key issue with gambling is that it can be addictive because of the ‘partial reinforcement’ effect. This is because the chance of a win doesn’t increase or decrease each time you place a bet. It is the same chances as it was on your first flip of the coin or when you played video poker for the first time. It is just that our brains try to rationalise this by thinking that a series of tails must eventually balance out with a heads.
If you think you or someone you know may have a problem with gambling, there are many organisations that offer support and assistance. You can get help for yourself or your loved one by requesting counselling from BetterHelp, an online service that matches you with licensed therapists who specialise in addiction. You can take the assessment for free and be matched with a therapist in as little as 48 hours. This will allow you to work through the specific issues that are contributing to your problem gambling and lay a foundation for resolving it. The biggest step is admitting that there is a problem, which can be hard, especially when it has already cost you money and strained your relationships. However, you are not alone and many others have been through this before and been able to recover. Keep on reading to learn more about gambling and how you can stop it from causing harm.