How to Overcome a Gambling Problem

Gambling involves placing something of value, usually money, on an event with an element of chance and the potential to win a prize. This activity can be carried out in many ways, including at a casino, a horse racetrack, an online game, or even by betting on sports events. There are also several other types of gambling, such as scratch-off tickets, bingo, and dice games.

Most people who gamble enjoy it as a form of entertainment and socialization. However, a small percentage of individuals develop serious problem gambling, which can have significant personal, family, and financial consequences. Some of these effects can be long-lasting and even permanent. These individuals are referred to as compulsive gamblers.

A person may become a compulsive gambler if he or she:

(1) is preoccupied with gambling and spends excessive time and energy on it;

(2) loses control of the amount of money spent on gambling and has difficulty stopping;

(3) tries to cover up the extent of involvement in gambling by lying to friends, family members, or treatment professionals;

(4) has a persistent urge to gamble even after substantial losses, despite having negative personal, family, and professional consequences;

(5) attempts to recover lost money by engaging in illegal activities (e.g., theft, forgery, embezzlement) to finance gambling;

While some people enjoy gambling as a way of socializing with friends, others become addicted and end up spending large amounts of money, often beyond their means. This can create a vicious circle, as the individual becomes more and more distressed and the gambling becomes increasingly out of control. Some individuals who are most likely to develop a gambling disorder are:

Young people, especially boys and men, and those with low incomes tend to be more susceptible to developing problems with gambling than other groups. This is partly because they have more to gain from a big winning streak and are attracted by the high levels of excitement and glamour associated with gambling.

The first step in overcoming a gambling problem is realizing that you have one. Then you can take steps to change your behavior and reduce your risk of gambling by: