The Warning Signs of Gambling Disorder
Gambling is any action in which an individual stakes or risks something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under his control or influence, on an agreement or understanding that he will receive something of value in the event of a specified outcome. It excludes bona fide business transactions valid under the law of contract, contracts of indemnity or guaranty and life, health and accident insurance.
Whether people gamble for social reasons, financial reasons, as a form of entertainment, or to meet other needs such as thrill seeking and euphoria, the act of gambling can become dangerous when a person develops a gambling disorder. Problem gambling is associated with a variety of negative psychological, social and family consequences. It is also known to increase the risk of suicide.
In addition to the negative consequences, gambling can be illegal in many places. In the United States, for example, anyone who knowingly engages in gambling is guilty of a crime under state law. Criminal penalties for gambling can include fines, jail time and probation. In some cases, convicted offenders are required to participate in a gambling addiction treatment program.
A large number of disorders can cause a person to gamble compulsively. These include mood disorders such as depression, stress and anxiety. People with these disorders may also have a tendency to lie about their gambling habits or hide evidence of their involvement from friends and family. In some cases, people with a mood disorder will attempt to self-soothe unpleasant feelings by gambling or by drinking.
Research has found that many of the same signs of addiction that appear in substance use disorders are present in gambling disorder. This includes a desire to keep gambling despite significant adverse social and family impacts, the onset of irrational behavior such as lying, stealing, or committing crimes to finance gambling, and an inability to stop gambling despite serious negative consequences.
In some cases, the onset of gambling disorder is triggered by environmental factors. These can include an individual’s relationship to money, the emphasis placed on money in American culture, and the development of more efficient banking practices that resulted in increased opportunities for gambling. The emergence of the Internet as a source of information on gambling and gambling problems has also been a contributing factor.
Some of the warning signs of a gambling problem include lying to others about how much one is spending on gambling, a desire to gamble in secret and to conceal the extent of one’s involvement, and a tendency to try and win back lost money (the idea being that you are due for a big win). Often people with a gambling disorder are secretive about their gambling and even lie to therapists and family members about it. Some people are unable to walk away from a casino or online game and will continue to gamble until they spend their last dollar, upping their bets in a desperate attempt to win lost money back (“chasing” their losses). Other symptoms of gambling disorder include: