Day: July 22, 2024

Gambling involves risking something of value—money, property, status—on an uncertain outcome based on chance. It evokes the full range of human emotions and behaviors. Its prevalence and harms are shaped by the social and cultural contexts in which it occurs, including laws, economic incentives, and perceptions of risk and reward. In addition, it may co-occur with other types of problems and contribute to them. Moreover, the frequency and severity of gambling-related problems can vary among individuals, based on the extent to which they engage in gambling for recreational or social purposes.

While the majority of gamblers do so responsibly and find the activity entertaining, about 20 percent overindulge and incur debt that impairs their ability to support themselves and their families. Moreover, the behavior is linked to several psychological disorders, most importantly, compulsive gambling. The DSM-IV, the American Psychiatric Association’s official guide to mental disorders, included 10 warning signs of compulsive gambling; the DSM-5, which currently informs psychologists, removed one (criminal behavior).

Research has established that people who have difficulty controlling their impulses, which is a key factor in pathological gambling, are also more likely to engage in other risky behaviors, such as drug and alcohol abuse. Nonetheless, the specific mechanisms through which these behavioral characteristics and impulsivity correlate with gambling are not well understood. Some research has pointed to the role of sensation-and novelty-seeking, arousal, and negative emotionality as potential contributing factors.

Despite its many positive economic, social, and health impacts, gambling has been viewed as harmful by some societies and groups of people. For example, some religious traditions consider gambling sinful. The act is often associated with a variety of negative perceptions, including addiction, criminality, and moral turpitude.

For problem gamblers, it’s important to strengthen your support network and reach out to friends and family. You can also join a peer support group, such as Gamblers Anonymous, which is modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous. If you’re able to, you can also try making new connections in other ways — by joining a book club, sports team, or volunteering for a good cause. In addition, it’s important to set boundaries in managing money and credit. You can also get help from inpatient or residential treatment and rehab programs, which are aimed at those with severe gambling addictions that cannot be addressed without round-the-clock support. Finally, remember that chasing your losses will only make the situation worse; think of it as the “gambler’s fallacy,” when you believe you are due for a big win to make up for the ones you’ve lost.