Gambling is a popular activity that involves placing bets on the outcome of a game or contest. Although most people participate in gambling for enjoyment, a small group of individuals become too heavily involved and continue gambling despite negative personal, family and financial consequences. This is known as gambling disorder.
The word gamble has many different meanings, but most commonly refers to the act of betting something of value on an event whose result is determined by chance or accident. While most people think of a casino when they hear the word gamble, it can also refer to other types of wagering, such as horse racing, poker and lottery games.
A person who is addicted to gambling has difficulty controlling their spending and other behaviors related to the behavior. They often lie to loved ones and rely on others to finance their gambling and/or to replace money they have lost. They may even engage in illegal acts, such as theft, embezzlement or forgery to fund their gambling activities. They experience a variety of emotional and behavioral symptoms, including anxiety, depression and guilt. These symptoms are often triggered by stress and other factors such as personality traits and coexisting mental health conditions.
People are naturally prone to addictive behaviors and are particularly vulnerable to becoming involved in activities that involve risk, such as gambling. This is partly due to the fact that human brains do not mature until the age of 25 and that young adults are more likely to have reckless behaviors. In addition, certain personal characteristics and mental health conditions can make a person more vulnerable to developing a gambling problem.
Pathological gambling is not formally recognized as a mental illness, but it can have severe and harmful effects on one’s life and is an important public health concern. Because of the prevalence and harm associated with gambling, it is important for primary care clinicians to evaluate their patients for gambling disorders.
This article reviews the evidence for assessing, screening and treating pathological gambling in a primary care setting. A review of the literature was conducted using the MEDLINE database (searched from 1966 to 2001) and by searching the textwords “gambling” or “problem gambling.” Various methodologies for evaluating gamblers in a clinical setting and for screening for pathological gambling are discussed, as are treatment options.
If you have a friend or family member who has a gambling problem, it’s important to speak up. You can help them find treatment sooner rather than later by recommending a gambling addiction hotline or support group, such as Gamblers Anonymous. You can also offer to listen thoughtfully and not judge them. By being supportive, you can encourage them to seek treatment and build a stronger relationship with you in the process. It’s also crucial to teach your loved one healthy ways to manage their stress and find other rewarding activities. The sooner they receive treatment, the more likely they are to recover from their addiction.