Recognising the Signs of a Gambling Problem
For some people gambling is a fun and enjoyable pastime but for others it can be harmful. It can affect a person’s physical and mental health, relationships, work and study performance, cause debt and even homelessness.
Problem gambling can cause significant distress for family, friends and work colleagues. It can also lead to suicide. It is important to recognise the signs of a gambling problem and seek help as soon as possible.
Often when people gamble they do it for social reasons, such as hanging out with their mates at a casino, online or at a bookmaker. They may find it hard to stop, especially if they are using money that is meant for bills, mortgages or other necessities of life. It is also common for people with gambling problems to hide their activities and lie about how much they are spending.
The euphoria that comes with winning can mask the fact that gambling is a risky activity. The euphoria is triggered by the brain’s reward system and chemicals released in the body, so when you win, it can feel like a high. However, if you lose, it can trigger feelings of low self-esteem and depression. It is also important to realise that gambling can lead to other addictions, such as drug abuse or alcoholism.
A lot of people also use gambling as a way to escape from real life and cope with stress or depression. The escapism can be reinforced by the media which portrays gambling as a sexy, glamorous and fashionable activity. It can also be a form of relief from boredom or grief.
In addition, the act of placing a bet can trigger a sense of control and mastery because of the predictability of outcomes. It can be similar to how insurance companies use actuarial methods to calculate premiums and risks. The underlying psychology of gambling is therefore very similar to that of insurance, and can be seen in the actions of sports coaches who place bets against their own teams, or in a person buying a scratchcard in order to mitigate the financial loss if they don’t win.
It’s essential to remove temptations to gamble, whether that’s by deleting gambling apps or blocking gambling websites on your computer or smartphone. You can also change your financial settings to limit your bank balance or delete autofill information for credit card details on a website. Alternatively, consider joining a support group like Gamblers Anonymous, which is based on the 12-step recovery program of Alcoholics Anonymous. You can also try taking up a new hobby or finding alternative ways to spend your time that don’t involve gambling. In extreme cases, it’s important to seek professional help as soon as possible, as the consequences of problem gambling can be fatal. Seek support from a trusted friend, family member or counsellor and look into local referral resources for gambling counselling services in your area. You can also ask your doctor or GP to refer you to a specialist.
