Public Health and Gambling
Gambling is an activity where a person risks something of value (such as money, property or other personal assets) on an event that is uncertain or can’t be controlled. This may involve making bets on sports events, card games or even a lottery. It can be legal in many places but there are some important things to remember before taking part. Often gambling is linked to addiction, which can be very dangerous.
For some people gambling is just a fun and harmless pastime, but for others it can become an overwhelming problem that causes serious problems in their lives. Problem gambling can harm health, relationships and work or study performance. It can also lead to debt and homelessness. There are different ways to treat gambling addiction, including counselling and drug or alcohol treatment programmes.
It’s estimated that around two million people in the US are addicted to gambling, and it is a growing concern for public health and welfare agencies. Problem gamblers may have difficulty coping with the emotional and psychological impact of losing money and are more likely to have a range of other mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. They may also experience financial difficulties, with some relying on credit cards and payday loans to support their habit.
People who struggle with gambling may find it helpful to talk about their problems with friends and family, or they might prefer to join a peer support group such as Gamblers Anonymous, which is modelled on the well-established Alcoholics Anonymous. Some problem gamblers benefit from cognitive-behaviour therapy, which teaches them to recognise irrational beliefs and replace them with more healthy ones.
There are both positive and negative effects of gambling, with some arguing that it improves the economy while others point to its negative psychological effects. It is possible to analyse these impacts using a public health approach, which looks at costs and benefits on three levels: personal, interpersonal and society/community. The personal and interpersonal level impacts are non-monetary and mostly affect gamblers themselves, while the society/community level impacts are monetary and include general, problem gambling and long term costs.
For example, it has been found that players who make winning bets feel happier than those who lose. This is because our bodies produce adrenaline and endorphins when we win, which makes us feel happy and satisfied. This explains why some people are more vulnerable to gambling addiction than others, and why it can be hard for them to stop or control their gambling habits. People who suffer from severe or life-threatening gambling problems can be treated in inpatient or residential treatment and recovery programs. These are usually based in rehabilitation centres, where the patient can get round-the-clock support and help to overcome their addiction. In some cases, people are referred to these services by the courts. They can also be self-referred by family or friends. This can be a difficult choice because it can mean leaving home and cutting off contact with loved ones.
Gambling is an activity where a person risks something of value (such as money, property or other personal assets) on an event that is uncertain or can’t be controlled. This may involve making bets on sports events, card games or even a lottery. It can be legal in many places but there are some important things to remember before taking part. Often gambling is linked to addiction, which can be very dangerous. For some people gambling is just a fun and harmless pastime, but for others it can become an overwhelming problem that causes serious problems in their lives. Problem gambling can harm health, relationships and work or study performance. It can also lead to debt and homelessness. There are different ways to treat gambling addiction, including counselling and drug or alcohol treatment programmes. It’s estimated that around two million people in the US are addicted to gambling, and it is a growing concern for public health and welfare agencies. Problem gamblers may have difficulty coping with the emotional and psychological impact of losing money and are more likely to have a range of other mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. They may also experience financial difficulties, with some relying on credit cards and payday loans to support their habit. People who struggle with gambling may find it helpful to talk about their problems with friends and family, or they might prefer to join a peer support group such as Gamblers Anonymous, which is modelled on the well-established Alcoholics Anonymous. Some problem gamblers benefit from cognitive-behaviour therapy, which teaches them to recognise irrational beliefs and replace them with more healthy ones. There are both positive and negative effects of gambling, with some arguing that it improves the economy while others point to its negative psychological effects. It is possible to analyse these impacts using a public health approach, which looks at costs and benefits on three levels: personal, interpersonal and society/community. The personal and interpersonal level impacts are non-monetary and mostly affect gamblers themselves, while the society/community level impacts are monetary and include general, problem gambling and long term costs. For example, it has been found that players who make winning bets feel happier than those who lose. This is because our bodies produce adrenaline and endorphins when we win, which makes us feel happy and satisfied. This explains why some people are more vulnerable to gambling addiction than others, and why it can be hard for them to stop or control their gambling habits. People who suffer from severe or life-threatening gambling problems can be treated in inpatient or residential treatment and recovery programs. These are usually based in rehabilitation centres, where the patient can get round-the-clock support and help to overcome their addiction. In some cases, people are referred to these services by the courts. They can also be self-referred by family or friends. This can be a difficult choice because it can mean leaving home and cutting off contact with loved ones.