Gambling involves putting something of value on an event with the goal of winning something else of value. This occurs in social settings, such as card games with friends for small amounts of money or a friendly sports betting pool, or in private settings, such as purchasing lottery tickets or placing bets on a horse race. Gambling also takes place in casinos, where people bet large sums of money on various events involving chance. While the majority of gambling is based on chance, skill and strategy are important factors in many cases.
A major concern about gambling is that it can lead to financial problems. However, it’s important to note that the amount of money lost or won is not necessarily indicative of whether a person has a problem with gambling. The main warning signs of a problem are when gambling begins to interfere with work, relationships, mental or physical health or other aspects of an individual’s life.
The development of a definition of pathological gambling has been complicated by the fact that different researchers and clinicians use different instruments to assess problems with gambling. Inconsistent and imprecise terminology has contributed to confusion and misunderstanding about the severity of gambling problems, and some experts believe that it is time to move toward a more consistent approach in order to better serve the needs of researchers and clinicians.
Historically, psychiatry has considered pathological gambling to be an impulse control disorder, like other disorders that violate social norms and are harmful. The criteria that were used in the past included a loss of control over gambling, preoccupation with gambling, a failure to recognize losses and gains, and a tendency to escalate bets as a way of recovering a previous loss.
Over the years, a number of changes have been made to the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling. These changes reflect a desire to be more scientific in defining the disorder and to recognize that there are similarities between gambling addiction and other types of addictive behaviors, such as drug dependence.
Although the underlying causes of gambling are not fully understood, it is believed that a person’s brain chemistry and environmental and familial factors contribute to his or her risk for developing an addictive behavior. In addition, some people are more likely to develop a gambling problem than others because of a genetic predisposition or a history of trauma.
If you think that a loved one is struggling with gambling addiction, it’s important to talk with him or her about the issue and to offer support. It’s also important to remember that compulsive gambling often is a symptom of an underlying mood disorder, such as depression or anxiety, which may be making it harder for the person to stop gambling. The key is to seek help for both the underlying mood disorder and the gambling addiction. A trained therapist or support group can provide valuable guidance and resources. A 12-step program, modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, is another option for those with a gambling problem.