People gamble for many reasons, from the adrenaline rush of winning to socialising and escaping worries or stress. However, gambling can become a problem when it takes over an individual’s life. It can cause financial difficulties, strain relationships and even lead to mental health problems. If you’re concerned you might have a problem, get help from friends and family, treatment providers or self-help tips.
There are three classes of gambling impacts: financial, labor and health and well-being. These impact people at personal, interpersonal and community/society levels. Financial impacts include changes in financial circumstances, including increased debt and the effects of escalating into bankruptcy or homelessness. Labor impacts can include changes in work performance and attendance, including reduced productivity, inability to perform or absenteeism. Health and well-being impacts can include deterioration in physical, emotional and social wellbeing, as well as an increase in risky behaviors.
Gambling can also be very addictive. It can change how your brain works, increasing the reward you feel when you win money and lowering the pleasure you get from other activities. As a result, you may need to gamble more and more frequently to feel the same high that you used to get.
If you have a gambling problem, it can affect your relationships with friends and family. You may lie to them or miss events that you’ve promised to attend, creating tension and anger in your relationship. You could lose trust in your relationships and find it difficult to repair them. In extreme cases, pathological gambling can even lead to feelings of suicidal thoughts or actions.
If you have a gambling problem, it is important to seek help. Speak to your GP or find NHS support, and try to stop gambling. You can also join a peer support group such as Gamblers Anonymous, which follows a similar format to Alcoholics Anonymous and offers guidance on how to break the addiction. You can also find online support from peers who have successfully recovered from their gambling issues, as well as free apps that monitor your spending and encourage you to break the habit. If you’re thinking of taking your own life, call the Samaritans or visit a crisis centre in person for immediate help and support. They’re open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They’ll talk you through the warning signs and how to get help. They’ll also help you to plan a new, healthier lifestyle that doesn’t involve gambling.