Gambling is risking money or something of value on an uncertain outcome. It can range from a person betting a little on lottery tickets, to someone spending large sums of cash in casinos and poker rooms. It can also involve online gambling, which can be incredibly addictive. Unlike many other addictions, gambling is legal in most jurisdictions and it’s very accessible, even for people without much money.
For some people, the urge to gamble is more than a hobby, it’s an escape or a way to avoid unpleasant feelings. The temptation can be reinforced by advertising, which presents gambling as fun, glamorous, and social. It can also be triggered by events in their life, like financial problems or relationship issues. They may hide their gambling habits or lie to friends and family, or they might be compelled to spend more and more time on it. They might even steal to finance their habit or try to win back their losses.
Psychiatrists are increasingly aware that gambling can be an addictive behavior, and they’re beginning to treat it more seriously. In the past, they grouped pathological gambling with other impulse control disorders, such as kleptomania and pyromania (hair-pulling). Now, however, they’re moving it into the category of addictions in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Some people who struggle with gambling are able to stop on their own, but many will need help. Counseling can be a powerful tool to help people understand their problem and think about what they can do about it. Several types of therapy are useful, including cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy.
