Gambling is a major commercial activity that involves betting money or something else of value (including collected game pieces such as marbles, Pogs, and Magic: The Gathering cards) on the outcome of a game, a contest, or an uncertain event. The world’s legal gambling revenue exceeds $10 trillion a year, with lotteries and sports wagering the most common forms of gambling.
A large proportion of people who gamble do so without experiencing problems. However, a subset of individuals develop pathological gambling, which is defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as a recurrent pattern of behavior that causes significant distress or impairment.
The root causes of problem gambling may differ depending on the person, but there are some common features. For example, many problem gamblers report that they feel a sense of euphoria when they win and that they experience an urge to continue playing in order to experience this feeling again. Additionally, gambling can lead to feelings of shame and loss, which may contribute to a desire to hide or lie about one’s gambling habits.
The biggest step in overcoming a gambling addiction is acknowledging that there is a problem. While this can be difficult, it is important to realize that you don’t have to go through this alone. If you or someone you love is struggling with a gambling addiction, contact BetterHelp online. We can match you with a therapist who can help with addiction, depression, relationships, and more.
