How to Recognize a Gambling Disorder
Gambling is risking something of value on an event that is primarily based on chance in the hope of making a profit. It is a popular activity that has been found in nearly every society since prerecorded history and is often incorporated into local customs and rites of passage. While many people have gambled without serious consequences, a significant subset develops gambling disorder. This is a mental health condition that is defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as a persistent, recurrent pattern of gambling behavior that is associated with substantial distress or impairment.
There are many ways to gamble, ranging from placing a bet on a sporting event or game of chance, to playing slot machines at the casino, to participating in a fantasy sports league, to online poker or DIY investing. It is important to understand the nature of gambling in order to recognize when someone has a problem and to seek treatment.
Most adults and adolescents in the United States have placed some type of bet, and most do so without problems. A small subset, however, becomes seriously involved in gambling to the point of having a negative impact on their personal and social lives. This group is known as the “problem gambler.” It is estimated that up to 5% of people who engage in gambling become problem gamblers.
Vulnerability to developing gambling problems is higher among those who have lower socioeconomic status, particularly women and minorities. People who start gambling at a young age are also more likely to develop problems. In addition, some people are more susceptible to the addictive potential of gambling than others because of genetic or environmental factors that predispose them to gamble excessively.
In addition to the above factors, some people are more likely to develop gambling problems if they have certain types of personalities or life circumstances. These include:
A person who has a gambling problem is often preoccupied with thoughts of gambling, such as reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next wager, and thinking about how they might get money to gamble with. The person often lies to family members, therapists or others in an attempt to conceal the extent of his or her involvement with gambling. The person often jeopardizes or loses a relationship, job, educational or career opportunity, or has to borrow money in an attempt to gamble.
The best way to avoid becoming a problem gambler is to set limits for yourself and stick to them. Don’t use credit cards to fund gambling and never play when you’re upset, angry, sad or depressed. And don’t chase your losses – thinking you can get lucky and win back what you’ve lost is a common mistake called the gambler’s fallacy. Finally, don’t drink too much and don’t be tempted by free cocktails – those are there to lure you in. If you’re a seasoned gambler, remember to always tip your dealers – cash or chips are fine.
