Gambling As a Type of Addiction
Gambling is a form of risk-taking where you bet something of value (money or materials) on an event with an uncertain outcome. It is a type of addiction, and can be very dangerous when out of control. It involves three main elements: consideration, risk and prize. If you’re betting on a football match or scratchcards, you will be given odds, which are the chances of winning. The higher the odds, the more likely you are to win.
In the past, the psychiatric community viewed pathological gambling as more of a compulsion than an addiction. It was often grouped together with other impulse-control disorders such as kleptomania, pyromania and trichotillomania (hair pulling). However, in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the APA decided to change this, moving pathological gambling from the impulsive disorders section to the addictions chapter. This reflects the increasing recognition that gambling is an addictive behavior, and should be treated as such.
While gambling does have its negative effects, it also has some positive ones. For example, it provides an opportunity for socializing with friends. People can go out with their friends to casinos or races and gamble together, or they can buy lottery tickets as a group. Moreover, it can be an enjoyable pastime for older adults who are looking for fun and excitement in their lives.
Taking steps to address problem gambling is challenging, especially if it has already cost you significant sums of money and strained or broken relationships with loved ones. It’s important to enlist the help of family and friends, and seek professional help. A therapist can teach you to recognise and respond to urges and triggers, and develop strategies for managing them.
