Dealing With a Gambling Addiction

Gambling is a common recreational activity with an estimated total turnover of over $10 trillion worldwide. It involves placing a value on an event whose outcome is determined by chance, where strategy plays little role. The event may be anything from a horse race to a scratchcard, but the most commonly gambled events are games of chance like lotteries and fruit machines. A monetary prize is awarded to the player if he or she wins. This type of gambling is a significant source of revenue in many countries, particularly those with large populations of the elderly and lower income groups.

Some of the psychological principles behind gambling include reinforcement, loss aversion, and escalating rewards. Loss aversion refers to a person’s desire to minimize the amount of money lost during a gambling session. It is believed that this behavior contributes to gambling addiction, as the desire to avoid losses motivates people to place bets that are increasingly riskier and more frequent. Additionally, some theorists have argued that the size of a win can also promote gambling, with a small reward giving greater reinforcment than a larger one.

Other forms of gambling involve materials that have a value but are not real cash, such as marbles or trading card game pieces. The collectible aspect of these games encourages the formation of a meta-game regarding the value of a player’s collection. The euphoria experienced by a successful gambler can also reinforce the behavior.

Gambling can cause serious consequences, including financial problems and family disruption. In severe cases, a gambling problem can lead to legal problems and even suicide. A number of organisations offer support, assistance and counselling to help people control their gambling. In addition, some offer inpatient treatment for people with problem gambling.

In many ways, a gambling addiction is similar to an addictive substance use disorder. There is an element of denial in the behaviour, and the addict hopes that gambling will give him or her something that it can’t.

Getting support is the first step to dealing with a loved one’s gambling addiction. If possible, seek out counseling services for the whole family, such as marriage, career and credit counseling. This will provide a strong foundation for managing the problem gambler’s finances and repairing the relationship. Also consider seeking out peer support. Joining a gambling recovery group, such as Gamblers Anonymous, will help the gambler establish new relationships with other recovering gamblers who can provide encouragement and guidance. A sponsor, who is a former compulsive gambler, can help the gambler maintain sobriety. They can also teach the gambler new coping strategies and tools to deal with triggers. They can also be a resource for family members and friends. These support groups can be found online and in many communities. The Gamblers Anonymous website offers information about meetings in your area. The group is based on the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Many families with a problem gambler also turn to a support group for their own emotional and mental health needs.