Gambling is a recreational activity where money or something else of value is placed at risk in an attempt to predict the outcome of a game involving chance. This can take the form of betting on sports events, playing casino games (such as slots) or even lottery tickets. People who gamble can be at risk of developing a gambling problem, which can lead to financial and emotional harm for themselves, family and friends. Some groups of people, such as adolescent girls, veterans and aging adults are more at risk for gambling problems.
Gambling can be a fun pastime for some but for others it can become a serious addiction causing great distress and damage to personal relationships and finances. It is important to recognize the signs of gambling becoming problematic so that steps can be taken to address this.
A number of interventions are available to help people deal with gambling issues and overcome them. One option is to attend a support group where you can talk with others who are experiencing the same problems as you. Other helpful strategies include therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which can help to change negative thinking patterns that can encourage compulsive gambling behaviour.
Holistic harm reduction approaches to gambling also consider addressing the wider contexts in which this activity takes place. This could include policy and media campaigns that seek to reshape the perception of gambling as a normative social activity, restrictions on the spaces in which gambling occurs, and interventions that provide people with tools to resist the lure of gambling.
In addition to the above, people can try and reduce their gambling by avoiding triggers such as going past casinos on their way to work or changing the TV channel if they are watching sports. They can also set time limits for how long they will play and only use cash or money that they can afford to lose. They can also learn healthier ways of relieving boredom or unwinding after a stressful day, such as exercise, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, or practicing relaxation techniques. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, you can seek help by calling a hotline or contacting an organisation such as StepChange for free debt advice.