What is Gambling Disorder?
Gambling is betting or staking something of value, such as money or property, with the consciousness of risk and hope of gain. It can include the use of cards, dice, or other devices to determine the outcome of a game, event, or contest. It can also involve placing bets on a horse race or a sports event. While gambling can be a fun and exciting activity for many people, it can become an addiction for others.
A person who has a gambling disorder may be unable to control their urges or stop gambling even when it causes problems in their life. This can include ruining personal relationships, work performance, or educational achievements, getting into debt and homelessness, and being arrested for illegal gambling activities. It can also cause physical and emotional stress, including anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. Some people with gambling disorders are able to stop their gambling behaviors on their own, while others need help from a therapist or support group.
The symptoms of gambling disorder are different for everyone, and they can occur at any age. People with this condition are at higher risk for a variety of reasons, including genetics and stressful or trauma-inducing events in their lives. They may also have a history of substance abuse or mental health issues.
Researchers estimate that between 2% and 4% of the general population have a gambling disorder. However, these numbers are not accurate because many people who have a gambling disorder do not seek treatment or get diagnosed. Symptoms of gambling disorder can be difficult to detect and can include downplaying or lying about gambling behaviors, frequent attempts to quit gambling, and relying on other people to fund or replace your losses (chasing your losses).
While there is no single cause for gambling disorders, some theories have been proposed. These include behavioral-environmental reasons, a general theory of addictions, and the reward deficiency syndrome.
Some research suggests that pathological gambling is similar to other types of addictive behavior, such as alcoholism. In fact, gambling disorders have been placed in a new category on behavioral addictions in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association.
Gambling disorder can be treated with psychotherapy and other psychological therapies, such as family therapy. Some of these therapies focus on teaching you healthy coping skills, such as distracting yourself with healthier activities or reaching out for support from loved ones. You can also try psychodynamic therapy, which focuses on unconscious processes that influence your behavior and how they are shaped by past experiences. You can also participate in group therapy to get motivation and moral support from other people who are dealing with the same issues. Medications are not typically used to treat gambling disorders, but they can help with coexisting mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression. Some people also find success in self-help groups, like Gamblers Anonymous.