Gambling is an activity that involves risking something of value, usually money, on an event that is primarily based on chance in the hopes of realizing a profit. It has existed in virtually every society since prerecorded history, and it has become incorporated into many local customs and rites of passage. However, gambling can have negative social and personal consequences when it becomes addictive.
While most people gamble for entertainment and enjoyment, a small percentage of them become seriously involved with gambling. This can have significant adverse social, family and financial effects.
Studies have largely ignored the social impacts of gambling, instead focusing on economic costs and benefits, which are easily quantifiable. However, these do not capture the full impact of the problem. A more holistic approach is needed, and one way to do this is by using health-related quality of life weights (HRQL wts) to measure the intangible social costs associated with gambling. This can be accomplished by combining the monetary and non-monetary burdens of gambling and its effects on gamblers and their social networks.
Research suggests that a number of factors make some people more susceptible to developing a gambling problem than others. For example, some individuals have a genetic predisposition to thrill-seeking behaviour and impulsivity, which can contribute to the development of gambling problems. These risk factors are particularly prevalent in low-income households, where individuals may have more to lose and less to gain than individuals with higher incomes.
Other factors include the way a person deals with stress, how much money they have available to spend and whether they have friends or family who support them in a healthy manner. Gambling can also be a distraction from painful thoughts, feelings or situations in a person’s life. This can lead to a “high” or sense of relief when winning, but it is not a long-term solution and can actually make things worse in the longer term.
If you are concerned that gambling is having a negative impact on your life or the lives of those around you, it’s important to seek help. Talking to someone you trust or getting non-judgemental support from the GamCare helpline is a good place to start. You can then start to find new ways to manage your gambling. Try spending more time on other hobbies and activities, and limiting the amount of time you spend gambling. In time, this will help you to rebalance your brain chemistry and you’ll find that everyday life starts to feel better again.