Recognising the Warning Signs of Gambling

Gambling is an activity in which people risk something of value on an event that has a chance of giving them something of value in return. This can include casino games, sports betting and lottery-type games. It excludes business transactions based on the law of contract, such as buying stock or securities and purchasing life insurance (in which skill and knowledge play a significant part).

People gamble for many reasons, including to socialise, to experience an adrenaline rush and to escape from worries or stress. But for some, gambling can get out of hand and cause harm. When this happens, it’s important to recognise the warning signs and seek help.

Problematic gambling affects the person who is addicted and their family members and friends, as well as society at large. There are several ways to get help and treatment, including counselling, self-help tips and support groups. However, only the person who has a gambling disorder can decide to stop engaging in these behaviours.

Research on gambling problems has evolved significantly in recent years. From a psychiatric perspective, we now understand the importance of considering the impact of gambling on people’s health and wellbeing. This understanding has led to a reclassification of pathological gambling in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

The new classification reflects the recognition that pathological gambling is not a single disorder, but rather a range of behaviours that can be viewed as maladaptive and lead to significant harm. It includes those who have a gambling disorder that meets the DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling and those who do not meet this definition but are at increased risk of developing it (subclinical).

In addition to causing financial, physical and emotional harm, problematic gambling is associated with other serious mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, substance misuse and suicidal thoughts. These symptoms can lead to isolation, which can be particularly dangerous in the case of a person with a gambling disorder.

It is not always easy to recognise when a person’s gambling has become a problem. They may deny their problem and try to hide their activities from others or they might start lying in order to conceal how much time and money they are spending on gambling. They may even begin to steal in order to fund their gambling habit, which can have serious legal and social consequences.

The brain’s reward system is hijacked by the addictive behaviour, resulting in frequent rewards, despite increasing losses. This is a major reason why people continue to gamble, even when it causes them harm. This explains why gambling addiction is so difficult to treat, and why some people do not respond to conventional treatments.