Gambling is any activity that involves risking something of value in an attempt to win a prize. A person can gamble using a variety of methods, including lottery tickets, scratch-off tickets, casino games, sports betting and even business or insurance investments (e.g., an owner of a professional football team placing a bet against his or her own team to mitigate financial losses from a losing season).
People who gamble often experience negative consequences, such as loss of money or control over spending, conflicts in relationships, family problems and feelings of anxiety and depression. Those who have gambling problems may also be at higher risk for other mental health disorders. Adolescents, veterans and aging adults, as well as members of certain ethnic groups, such as Latinos or Asians, are at particular risk for developing a gambling disorder.
The most common symptom of a gambling problem is the inability to stop gambling, even after trying a number of different strategies to do so. Other symptoms include lying to others about how much they have won, hiding money or assets and becoming obsessed with gambling. A person who has a gambling disorder may also have thoughts of suicide or attempts to commit suicide.
Despite the stigma associated with addiction, it is possible to recover from a gambling disorder. Treatment options include self-help programs, peer support groups and psychiatric care. Self-help programs typically involve setting limits and establishing new behaviors, such as avoiding casinos or other gambling sites. Peer support groups, such as Gamblers Anonymous, are modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous and can provide valuable advice and guidance on how to overcome a gambling addiction. Psychiatric care may include medication and therapy.
In addition to behavioral therapy, inpatient and residential treatment and rehabilitation programs are available for those who have severe gambling disorders that can’t be treated at home. These programs are aimed at those who can’t avoid gambling without round-the-clock support and have a high risk of relapsing after treatment.
A primary care physician can evaluate a patient for a gambling disorder by asking questions about how much the person has won or lost in the past year and whether it is causing a negative impact on their life. The physician can also review the patient’s medical history for any substance abuse or mood disorders that may be contributing to the gambling behavior. A doctor can also recommend local referral resources for certified gambling counselors or intensive treatment programs.