Gambling is an activity in which people risk something of value (e.g. money, goods, or services) on an uncertain event that involves chance. Often, gamblers hope to win more than they lose by predicting the outcome of a game or an event. The risks associated with gambling can include addiction, poor health, financial ruin, and even suicide. People develop problematic gambling behaviour for a variety of reasons: for social, recreational, or financial reasons.
Problematic gambling can affect anyone – rich or poor, young or old, male or female – and can occur in any community. It can damage physical and mental health, relationships, employment and study performance, and can result in serious debt and even homelessness.
There are a number of ways to overcome problems related to gambling. One is to strengthen the support network around you. It can also be helpful to find a peer group that helps you stay away from gambling, such as Gamblers Anonymous. Other treatment options include cognitive-behavioral therapy, which teaches you to resist the urges and thoughts that trigger gambling. Lastly, it is important to learn more about the factors that may trigger harmful gambling behaviour. For example, some individuals are genetically predisposed to thrill-seeking behaviour and impulsivity. Others are attracted to gambling because it provides a way to escape from life’s worries and stressors. For others, the reward system of the brain produces dopamine when they win, and this can be addictive.