Almost everyone has placed a bet on something at one point or another. Most people have played slot machines, gone to a casino or bought lottery tickets. But playing bingo, betting on office pools or making a friendly wager with friends are also types of gambling. The term is defined as placing something of value on an event that is based at least in part on chance with the hope of winning, where instances of strategy are discounted.<\/p>\n
Gambling is more than just fun; it can also damage physical and mental health, cause family problems, hurt performance at work or school and even lead to legal trouble or homelessness. Problem gamblers often report feeling shame and guilt about their behavior and feel they can’t ask for help. They are also often secretive about their activity and do not discuss it with anyone except their spouse or close friend.<\/p>\n
There are many ways to address problem gambling. If you’re dealing with someone else’s addiction, try to frame it as a health issue rather than an inquiry into their lifestyle. Offer support and suggest that they see a doctor or counselor. You can also help by establishing boundaries around managing money, such as getting rid of credit cards, having someone else be in charge of payments or keeping only a small amount of cash on hand. Marriage, career and family counseling can also be helpful in repairing damaged relationships and laying the groundwork for overcoming gambling addiction.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"