What Are the Effects of Gambling?
Gambling is any activity in which you stake something of value on a random event with the hope of winning a prize. Most people engage in gambling on some level, from playing slot machines at a casino to betting with friends at a sporting event. Some people become addicted to gambling, and it’s important to know the risks and what to do if you think someone you love is struggling.
The good news is that the vast majority of gamblers don’t develop an addiction. But some people do, and a small subset of those become so addicted that they develop gambling disorder. This is a serious mental health condition that can lead to gambling-related problems including debt, financial stress, depression and anxiety. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat gambling disorder.
While gambling can be a fun pastime that provides a rush of excitement and can be social, it also has some negative effects on personal and community well-being. The effects of gambling can be observed on three levels: personal, interpersonal and community/society. Personal impacts pertain to the gambler, and include changes in their finances, work performance and family life. Interpersonal impacts involve the gambler’s family and friends, and may include conflict and tension. Finally, community/societal impacts affect those outside of the gambler, and may include costs or benefits that aggregate societal real wealth.
People who develop gambling disorders often have a history of other mental and physical health issues, including depression and anxiety. They are also more likely to be poorer, and their poverty makes it harder for them to recover from gambling problems. In addition, men are more likely to develop gambling disorders than women, and young people are especially vulnerable.
If you or a loved one has a gambling problem, you should seek help from a trained clinical professional. A face-to-face evaluation by a licensed clinical professional can give you a complete diagnosis and provide a treatment plan that addresses your unique situation. Treatment can be tailored to address your specific needs, and may focus on different aspects of your life, such as family dynamics, education, financial issues, legal problems and workplace issues.
Taking steps to break free from gambling can be difficult, but it’s possible. To begin, you can find healthier ways to relieve unpleasant feelings and boredom, such as exercising, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, or trying new hobbies. You can also join a support group such as Gamblers Anonymous, which offers a 12-step recovery program modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous. Or you can seek individual or family counseling with a therapist who specializes in gambling-related issues.
Historically, studies on gambling have focused almost exclusively on economic impacts. But it is crucial to recognize that social impacts exist and can be just as severe as economic ones. In fact, it is estimated that the impact of gambling on communities is approximately equal to or greater than its economic contribution. This is because the cost and benefit of gambling are a function of the number of gamblers, the amount of money they spend, and their overall effect on local economies.
