Gambling is an activity in which a person stakes something of value, typically money or material goods, on an event that has an uncertain outcome. It involves a mixture of skill and chance, and it is one of the most popular leisure activities in the world. It includes gambling on sports events, lottery games, casino games, and other types of games with a monetary prize such as cards or dice. It also includes the use of items with a nominal value as stakes, such as marbles and collectible trading card games (e.g., Magic: The Gathering).
Gambling has significant social and economic consequences. Individuals with a gambling disorder lose control of their behavior, frequently lying to family members and therapists about their gambling habits; spend more time and money than they can afford to; and jeopardize or ruin their personal relationships, education, employment, and financial stability. In addition, individuals with a gambling disorder often experience depression and other mood disorders. These mood disorders can either trigger or make worse gambling problems.
Various treatment approaches are used to help individuals with gambling disorders. Psychotherapy, which is a type of talk therapy, can help people think about how they gamble and how it affects them. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be particularly helpful for people with a gambling disorder. CBT focuses on changing the beliefs that contribute to gambling addiction. For example, people with a gambling problem tend to believe they are more likely to win than they actually are or that certain rituals will bring them luck. CBT teaches individuals new ways of thinking and behaving so they can change these beliefs.
Research on the relationship between gambling and mental health is ongoing. Several studies have shown that the onset of pathological gambling is associated with a history of depressive disorder. The direction of the association is not known; it may be that depression precedes or follows a person’s development of gambling problems, or that both disorders are mutually related.
In some cases, a person with a gambling disorder can overcome the condition on his or her own. However, for many others, it is necessary to seek professional help. There are many options for treatment, including individual and group therapy, self-help groups, and family counseling. In some cases, medications are recommended to treat coexisting mood disorders and to help stabilize a person’s emotions. The first step is recognizing that there is a problem. Individuals who realize they have a gambling problem should seek help as soon as possible.