Pathological Gambling
Gambling is a form of risk-taking in which people place money or other valuables on the outcome of a game or contest that involves chance. It can involve a variety of activities, from betting on sports games and horse races to playing card games like poker or blackjack. Some people gamble for social reasons, while others do it to make money or as a way to escape from their daily problems. Regardless of the motivation, gambling can lead to serious problems for some people.
Gambling has been around for centuries, but it was largely suppressed by law until the late 20th century, when there was a great deal of public interest in casinos and a relaxation of laws against gambling. As a result, people now have easy access to a wide range of gambling opportunities, including online casino sites, lotteries, and video games that incorporate gambling elements. These can be accessed by anyone with Internet access, even children and teenagers.
Pathological gambling (PG) is characterized by repeated, recurrent patterns of problematic gambling behavior. PG is typically found in people who start gambling at a young age and continue to gamble until they experience severe problems. Psychiatrists diagnose PG based on a set of criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association. These criteria are similar to those used in the diagnosis of substance abuse disorders, and a comparison of the two diagnoses shows high comorbidity between the conditions.
Researchers have studied a number of different models and theories to explain why some people develop a gambling problem. Some of these are medical or biological in nature, while others are more concerned with psychological or environmental factors. Among the most well-supported are behavioral-environmental models, a general theory of addictions, and a reward deficiency syndrome.
Other explanations focus on psychological traits such as sensation-seeking, novelty-seeking, and impulsivity. Zuckerman suggests that individuals engage in gambling behaviors to seek positive arousal during periods of uncertainty and to achieve a sense of achievement when they win. Cloninger suggests that a desire for diverse sensations and an inability to control impulses may contribute to pathological gambling.
If you have a gambling problem, it is important to recognise the signs and symptoms of it so that you can take steps to get help. A good first step is to strengthen your support network by spending time with friends who don’t gamble and by finding other ways to relieve unpleasant feelings. You can also try exercising, taking up a new hobby, or practicing relaxation techniques. Another option is to join a support group for gamblers, such as Gamblers Anonymous, which follows the model of Alcoholics Anonymous. Finally, you can try self-help strategies such as setting money and time limits for your gambling, not chasing losses, and staying away from casinos or other gambling venues. Ultimately, the best solution is to stop gambling completely. Until you do, there is always the possibility that a relapse will occur.