Costs of Gambling
Gambling is a risky activity that can cause serious harm to your family, relationships, health and finances. It also impacts on work, study and social life. Gambling is not a good way to make money and it can be addictive.
Whether you gamble on football matches, online casino games or scratchcards, you are taking a chance on something that is not under your control. It could be that your team will win, or that a combination of numbers will come up. The chances of winning are determined by a random number generator, and it is impossible to predict what will happen.
While gambling may look like an exciting pastime, it can be very addictive and have negative effects on people’s lives. The chemicals in the brain are altered by repeated exposure to gambling and uncertainty, just like drugs of abuse. This can change brain chemistry, and affect the system of rewards that makes us feel happy. People might start to feel pleasure from things that they normally wouldn’t, such as food or sex. If this happens, it is important to seek help to break the cycle.
The costs of gambling are complicated to measure and there is a debate about how these should be calculated. A problem with many studies is that they focus on only the monetary effects. This leaves out other costs such as those related to the impact on the community and on individuals’ mental health. These other costs include the loss of enjoyment from other activities and the negative effect on relationships, self esteem, sleep patterns and mental and physical health.
People who gamble are not alone in their pursuit of a dream, and they often form friendships and social networks with other gamblers. These relationships can be strained by the time spent gambling and the need to fund the habit, especially when a person is spending money they don’t have. There is a growing recognition that gambling can also have other, non-monetary, effects on the social fabric of communities and these should be considered in costing calculations.
Gambling is also a very socially exclusive activity, and the isolation of the gambler can lead to loneliness and depression. In addition, the lack of financial security can be a significant contributing factor to social isolation. Those who are in debt from gambling can find it difficult to manage their bills and they may end up relying on payday loans or borrowing money from family, friends and neighbours. This can result in a cycle of debt, stress and relationship problems.
It is possible to break the cycle of gambling addiction and regain control of your life. It is important to get the right help, including therapeutic and financial advice. If you know someone who is causing harm through their gambling, it is helpful to discuss the issue with them and let them know how much it is affecting you. It is not your responsibility to take control of their behaviour, but it is your responsibility to inform them of the negative impact that their actions are having on you.