Gambling is any activity in which a person risks something of value, such as money or property, for the chance of winning a prize. This activity may be done in a variety of ways, including through betting on sporting events, horse or greyhound races, casino games, lottery tickets and even by playing the stock market. However, it also includes more sophisticated forms of speculating, such as business and financial investments and insurance premiums, which are essentially wagers on the likelihood of death or illness.
Gambling affects the health of many people, and can lead to depression and substance abuse. It can interfere with personal relationships, hurt job performance and cause significant debt. In extreme cases, gambling can even result in suicide. The research presented here is intended to improve our understanding of the causes of problem gambling, and how to help people with this disorder.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to pathological gambling, such as genetics, family history and stressful life events. In addition, gambling can often become a way to self-soothe unpleasant emotions or relieve boredom. However, there are healthier and more effective ways to manage these feelings. For example, exercising, spending time with friends who don’t gamble and practicing relaxation techniques can help.
Research has found that people with a history of depression, anxiety or other mental illnesses are at greater risk for developing gambling problems. The psychiatric community has long recognised the relationship between these disorders and gambling, and is currently working to develop better prevention and treatment strategies.
The EIGHT study is one of the largest investigations into the impact of gambling on mental health, and is being carried out by a global team of psychiatrists and psychologists. The work has been supported by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the Donaghue Women’s Investigator Program at Yale and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Generalist Physician Faculty Scholar Program (MNP, Suck Won Kim).
There are a number of steps that can be taken to help prevent gambling addiction, starting with identifying triggers. It’s important to set boundaries and stick to them, and never gamble with money you need to pay bills or rent. It’s also helpful to only gamble with disposable income and to avoid gambling when you’re depressed or upset. It’s also a good idea to never chase your losses, believing you’re due for a win or that you’ll get back what you’ve lost. This is known as the gambler’s fallacy and is a common trap that people with gambling addictions often fall into.