Gambling is the wagering of money or something else of value on an event whose outcome is mostly determined by chance. It is common and occurs worldwide. Many people have gambled without problems, but a small subset develop gambling disorder, described in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) as persistent, recurrent, problematic gambling that causes distress or impairment. People with underlying mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety, are more likely to have gambling disorder.
It’s important to recognize the signs of a problem and know what to do about it. Symptoms include: (1) secretive gambling behavior; (2) lying to friends and family about how much one gambles; (3) being unable to stop gambling even when you’re losing; (4) returning to gambling the next day in an attempt to get back your losses (“chasing” your losses); and (5) stealing money or property to finance gambling, which can jeopardize relationships, employment, education, and/or other aspects of life.
Seek support for yourself and your loved ones. Consider joining a support group, such as Gamblers Anonymous, a 12-step recovery program modeled on Alcoholics Anonymous. You can also try finding healthy ways to cope with unpleasant feelings, like exercising, spending time with non-gambling friends, taking a class or participating in a hobby. You can also improve your relationship with your loved ones by spending time together doing activities that don’t involve gambling, such as going on a picnic or visiting a museum.