Gambling involves risking something of value on an event that is primarily random with the intention of winning something else of value. It has been prevalent in every culture since prerecorded history and is incorporated into many local customs and rites of passage. However, gambling is a vice that has also been a significant contributor to family problems, financial ruin and social ills. The problem gambler is often a victim of bad habits that include excessive gambling, lying to friends and loved ones about the extent of their involvement in gambling, spending money they cannot afford to lose, recklessness, impulsivity and an inability to learn from experience.
Research has shown that people who have a gambling addiction have specific brain characteristics that make them more vulnerable to the disease. These include a tendency to over-interpret random rewards and the tendency to reward themselves for good luck while discounting their failures (a cognitive bias called “recognition distortion”). In addition, gambling addicts are prone to use escape coping (another name for emotional avoidance) which contributes to stress and depression. People who suffer from depression, stress or anxiety are especially susceptible to developing a gambling addiction, and those with these conditions may also have underlying mood disorders that require treatment, such as a substance use disorder or an eating disorder.
The Bible warns us against gambling, and for good reason. It is a corrupting force that leads to debt and bankruptcy, domestic violence, criminal behavior, loss of employment and educational opportunities, and family breakups. It can also result in poor stewardship practices, as the money used to gamble is usually money that should be invested wisely or used to advance the kingdom of God.
Gambling is addictive because of a combination of factors: the desire to replicate an early big win, the size of the win and boredom susceptibility, a poor understanding of random events, the use of escape coping and a tendency to reward themselves for good fortune, as well as a lack of healthy alternatives to self-soothe unpleasant emotions. It is therefore important for those who struggle with these issues to seek help and replace their gambling habit with healthier activities, such as exercising, spending time with healthy, non-gambling friends, focusing on positive aspects of life and taking up new hobbies.
Another key to overcoming gambling addiction is to limit the amount of money you gamble with each day. Never gamble with money that you need for bills or rent, and instead use only disposable income that you can afford to lose. Also, try to set a time limit for how long you want to gamble, and leave when you reach that point. Finally, it is helpful to keep a record of your gambling activity and the dates and amounts you gamble. This can help you see your progress over time and identify any patterns of behavior that are harmful to you. This will be particularly beneficial when you start trying to break your addiction.