Most adults have placed a bet at some point and many do so without problem, but for a smaller subset of people who gamble, it can become a destructive habit. When the urge to bet becomes a serious issue, loved ones can suffer emotionally and financially. In extreme cases, the impact can be so severe that people who struggle with gambling disorder may try to commit suicide. Fortunately, support and treatment are available for those who struggle with this problem.
The first step is to recognise a gambling addiction, and this can be difficult to do. Some of the tell-tale signs include lying to family and friends about how much you gamble, being secretive about your gambling or feeling the need to bet in secret. It’s also common for people to feel compelled to keep gambling, even after they have lost money, as their pride or ego drive them to keep trying. They may also increase their bets in an attempt to win back what they have already lost, despite the negative effects on themselves and their families.
It’s also possible that someone with a gambling disorder may stop socialising with their friends and miss important events, such as weddings or birthdays. This can have a hugely detrimental effect on relationships and can be a contributing factor to feelings of depression or anxiety, which can make the situation worse. If you suspect there is a problem, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible.
Understanding the psychology behind gambling can help those struggling with it and their loved ones. Many people use gambling as a way to self-soothe unpleasant emotions or as an outlet for boredom. Others have a history of trauma or abuse and turn to gambling as a means of escape from their feelings. Still others have a personality that is prone to risk-taking and reward-seeking behaviors, such as impulsivity or antisocial tendencies.
In addition to these psychological reasons, there are practical factors that can contribute to a gambling addiction. With the proliferation of online casinos, lotteries and video games with gambling elements, it’s never been easier to place a bet. Many people also have easy access to their bank accounts, and some people can spend far more than their income, meaning that debt can quickly build up.
Gambling has also been shown to have some surprising health benefits, such as increased socialisation and improved brain performance, due to the dopamine response that gambling elicits. However, it’s important to remember that these are only small benefits and a person struggling with gambling should seek professional help to address their underlying mood problems.
People who gamble for coping reasons can learn to manage their emotions in healthier ways and develop other outlets for boredom or stress. In addition, they can start to build healthy relationships and develop new hobbies and interests. By doing this, they can break the vicious cycle of using gambling as a way to cope and find that their addiction starts to fade away as they begin to build a life with their loved ones again.