What Makes Some People Vulnerable to Gambling?
A wide range of human emotions and behaviors drive people to gamble, but it can turn into a vicious cycle when the person loses control. Gambling can also have serious consequences for individuals’ relationships, finances, careers and health. Understanding what makes some individuals vulnerable to becoming gambling addicts can help in preventing or treating problem gambling, which affects both children and adults.
A person can be exposed to gambling in many ways, including watching others gamble on TV or at the casino, buying lottery tickets or scratchcards, playing video poker or blackjack, or betting on sports events. Regardless of the type of gambling, the common threads are that the participant is trying to win money or other prizes, and they are taking risks in order to do so.
The psychological process of gambling involves the anticipation of winning and the feeling of excitement when a bet is made. When a person wins, they experience a sense of accomplishment and achievement. When they lose, they feel disappointed and guilty. The feelings of loss can even trigger depression and anxiety disorders.
Problem gambling is characterized by the following signs and symptoms: a pattern of excessive or compulsive gambling; a need to gamble in order to escape unpleasant feelings or problems (e.g., boredom, stress, depression); lying to family members or therapists about gambling; a desire to win back lost money by investing more money or time in gambling; committing illegal acts such as theft, embezzlement, forgery, and fraud in order to finance gambling; and jeopardizing or losing a job, education, or a relationship due to gambling. Individuals with a gambling disorder have the highest suicide risk of any other substance use or mental health condition, according to studies.
Some people can overcome a gambling addiction by seeking professional treatment and support. Options include individual and group therapy, family therapy, marital or divorce counseling, and credit, career, or financial counseling. In some cases, an inpatient or residential treatment program is necessary.
Another important step is identifying and challenging negative thought patterns that lead to gambling, such as the illusion of control, irrational beliefs and the gambler’s fallacy. This can be done through a variety of activities, such as exercise, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, taking up a new hobby, or practicing meditation and deep breathing techniques.
Finally, it is important to make sure that gambling doesn’t interfere with work, school, or other fun activities. If it does, then it’s time to set some boundaries. Start with a fixed amount of money that you are willing to spend, and stop once you reach that limit. Never use credit cards or loan money to fund gambling, and don’t chase your losses. The more you try to win back your losses, the more likely you are to lose again. Also, make it a rule to not gamble when you’re feeling down or depressed. These rules will prevent you from making bad decisions that could cost you more than you can afford to lose.