Gambling Disorders
Gambling involves placing something of value on an uncertain outcome in the hope of gain. The activity can be as simple as buying a lottery ticket, or as sophisticated as betting on sports events or a casino game. Regardless of the amount of money wagered, gambling is always a risky venture. Some people become so hooked on gambling that they lose control of their behavior, leading to financial and psychological problems. In some cases, the addiction can even cause them to take risks with their lives.
The human brain responds to winning and losing in a very similar way, with dopamine being the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of excitement. Because of this, it’s easy to understand why some people find it hard to stop gambling. However, the truth is that gambling does not always lead to a high feeling. In fact, many gamblers experience a “low” when they lose. This can prompt them to try and make back the money they lost, resulting in a cycle of repeated losses.
Gamblers have a number of different reasons for gambling, from the pursuit of thrills to socializing with friends. Some people may also have a genetic predisposition towards thrill-seeking behaviours and impulsivity, which can increase their vulnerability to problem gambling. Others might be influenced by their culture, where gambling is considered a normal pastime, making it difficult for them to recognize a problem.
There are a number of therapies available for gambling disorders, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing and exposure therapy. CBT helps a person to identify faulty thoughts, such as feeling they’re due to win after a string of losses, and learn tools to help them think differently. Motivational interviewing involves working with a counselor to enhance a person’s motivation to change, while exposure therapy uses a variety of methods to expose an individual to their gambling behaviour, including role-playing and reality therapy.
In the past, the psychiatric community viewed pathological gambling as a form of compulsion rather than an addiction, arguing that it was a behaviour primarily motivated by a desire to relieve anxiety. In 2013, however, the APA decided to move pathological gambling into the category of impulse control disorders, alongside kleptomania, pyromania and trichotillomania.
Gambling has numerous impacts on society, at the personal, interpersonal and community levels. These include invisible individual costs, general and problem gambling-specific external costs, and the cost of intervention/treatment. While these costs are difficult to quantify, they should be factored in when assessing gambling’s impacts. It’s important to note that the benefits of gambling can outweigh these costs, if the gambler is able to control their gambling behaviour and avoid the negative impacts. Otherwise, they should seek professional treatment as soon as possible. Often, the longer a gambler remains untreated, the more serious their problem will become.
