The Role of the General Practitioner in Screening and Treating Gambling Behavior

Gambling is an activity where you stake something of value, such as money, on a random event with the aim of winning something else of value. It is a complex and widespread activity. People gamble in casinos, horse races, sports events and online. Some gambling activities are legal, but others are illegal. Gambling can lead to addiction and can have serious consequences for you, your family and your finances.

People with a gambling problem often feel compelled to gamble even when it hurts them. This can harm relationships, performance at work or school, and financial security. Problem gambling can also affect your health and well-being. It can cause anxiety, depression and suicide. It can even be dangerous to your physical health and put you in danger of being involved with crime and risking homelessness. Problem gambling can be a hidden addiction that is difficult to recognise and treat.

Many people have a gambling problem without realising it. Some people start to have problems when they are young and can develop a gambling addiction as a teenager or young adult. Other people develop a gambling problem after a period of ill health or stress, such as the death of a loved one. Problems can occur for any reason and it is important to get help if you are worried about your gambling.

What is the role of the general practitioner in screening and treating pathological gambling behavior?

A growing role exists for evaluating patients in primary care settings for addictive disorders. Although research has highlighted the similarity between pathological gambling and substance abuse, there is a lack of an agreed nomenclature for the classification of this disorder. Psychiatrists, other treatment care clinicians and lay people frame this issue from a variety of paradigms or world views.

There is broad agreement that impulsivity and sensation-seeking are important in gambling. There is also consensus that gambling involves a poor understanding of probability and a use of escape coping. Stressful life experiences and depression may also contribute to a person’s vulnerability to gambling.

In addition to the above factors, some researchers have suggested that pathological gamblers seek out a sense of control and status. Casinos are designed to foster these feelings by offering players rewards and status-based promotions. They also offer a high dose of dopamine, which is a powerful natural reward.

You can reduce the chances of gambling becoming a problem by making changes to your environment and lifestyle. You can also ask for support from friends and family or join a peer support group like Gamblers Anonymous, which is based on the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. You can also find other things to do with your time, such as taking up a hobby or doing exercise. You can also make changes to your money by getting rid of credit cards, letting someone else be in charge of your finances, closing online betting accounts and keeping only a small amount of cash on you.