The Dangers of Gambling
Whether it’s a bet on the outcome of a football game, a lottery ticket, or online casino games, gambling involves making an investment in a hope for a future return. It can be fun and exciting, but for a small percentage of people it can also be addictive. For some people, gambling can ruin their lives. If you or someone you know is spending more money than they can afford or feels compelled to gamble to try and make up for losses, it’s important to talk about it.
Throughout history, gambling has played an integral role in cultures around the world. Archaeologists have found dice beside the mummified bodies of pharaohs, Greek historians recounted soldiers shooting craps to while away time at the siege of Troy, and Roman centurions wagered on Jesus’ robes following his death. Today, lottery games are popular in most European countries, many South American countries, and Australia, as well as in some African and Asian nations. Online gaming and sports betting are widespread as well. Gambling is a multibillion-dollar industry with legal and illegal forms that involve everything from poker to horse racing.
In addition to its economic impact, the development of gambling has been driven by social and cultural changes. The Depression of the 1930s, in particular, shifted society’s emphasis toward an individual’s financial standing and contributed to a rapid expansion in gambling opportunities. Changing social values, such as the civil rights movement and women’s liberation, also increased gambling as people began to place greater value on freedom of choice and personal autonomy.
The term “disordered gambling” encompasses a range of behaviors from those that place an individual at risk for developing problems (subclinical) to those that meet diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) (American Psychiatric Association 2000). This range includes individuals who:
1) spend more than they can afford; 2) engage in reckless or self-destructive behavior while gambling such as lying to family members, therapists, or employers; 3) lie about how much money they are spending to others; 4) continue to gamble even after significant losses; 5) use a variety of means—including credit cards, loans, gifts, and cash—to fund their gambling; and 6) jeopardize or damage a relationship, job, education, or career opportunity because of their gambling behavior.
In addition to talking about their gambling habits with loved ones, people with a gambling disorder can find help by contacting a support network such as GamCare or seeking counseling. It’s also a good idea to seek treatment for any underlying mood disorders that may contribute to the problem, such as depression, stress, or anxiety, which can trigger or be made worse by compulsive gambling. Getting professional help can improve a person’s quality of life, especially when coupled with other healthy activities such as exercise and a balanced diet. A successful recovery from gambling is possible for most individuals, but it takes effort and commitment to change one’s unhealthy habits.