Gambling Addiction

Gambling is an activity in which people risk something of value (such as money or possessions) by making predictions about the outcome of a game or contest, such as a sporting event. If they guess correctly, they win; if they lose, they forfeit their stake. While gambling has been around for centuries, it was considered a dangerous activity and outlawed in many areas until the 20th century, when attitudes began to soften.

Psychiatrically, problem gambling was described by Emil Kraepelin as “gambling mania” and is now included in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Third Edition). However, effective treatments for pathological gambling are not yet available, possibly because eclectic theoretic conceptualizations of pathology play a large role in constructing therapeutic procedures.

Although the majority of gamblers are recreational, some professional gamblers make a living through gambling and have a high level of skill in the games they play. They use their knowledge of strategy and probability to consistently win over the long term. Social gambling can take the form of playing card or board games with friends for small amounts of money, joining a friendly sports betting pool, or buying lottery tickets.

It is possible to recover from a gambling addiction, but the first step is admitting that there is a problem. Then, seek help for mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, which may be triggered by compulsive gambling or made worse by it. Also, learn healthier ways to relieve unpleasant feelings and boredom, such as exercising, spending time with non-gambling friends, or practicing relaxation techniques.