Gambling involves placing a wager on an event that is based on chance. The wager can be money or any item of value, including collectibles like marbles or Magic: The Gathering cards. People gamble for many reasons: to win money, change their moods, socialize, and take a break from daily life. In some cases, gambling can be addictive and lead to serious problems with relationships, work or school performance, and financial debt. Counseling can help people learn how to recognize gambling addiction, address issues in their relationships and find healthy ways to relieve boredom and stress.
The psychological motivations behind gambling are complex and vary by person, but some factors commonly associated with problem gambling include an early big win, the size of the winnings, a sense of control or illusion of control, and the use of escape coping. In addition, some people have a genetic predisposition to seek thrill-seeking behavior and are more prone to impulsivity than others. In addition, some cultures view gambling as a normal pastime, making it difficult for individuals to recognize when they are gambling out of control.
Problem gambling can affect a person’s physical and mental health, cause relationship issues, hurt work or study performance, and even lead to homelessness. Often, it is a symptom of an underlying mood disorder such as depression, anxiety or substance abuse. Individuals struggling with these disorders should seek counseling for both the underlying mood problem and the compulsive gambling behaviors.