Gambling is a common activity in which people bet money or items of value on events with an element of chance. It can include games like poker, blackjack or baccarat that are played in private settings between friends, and bets on sports events such as football matches or horse races. It can also include scratchcards and other lottery-type games where the winning amount is determined by random chance. People gamble for a variety of reasons, including to change their mood, take their mind off worries or socialize with others. When they gamble, their brains release dopamine, a feel-good neurotransmitter that makes them excited. People can find it difficult to stop gambling, especially if they have a lot of losses and feel they are due for a big win.
While most adults and adolescents who gamble do so without problems, a small proportion of people develop a gambling disorder. This is an addiction that can cause significant distress and disruption to their lives. The disorder is also referred to as compulsive or pathological gambling. It can occur in those with other conditions such as depression or anxiety, or who have a history of substance use disorders. It can also be found in people with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or dementia.
Many factors can contribute to a gambling problem, and it can be very hard to overcome. Often people do not realize they have a problem until it causes serious financial or emotional problems. They may hide their gambling habits from family and friends, and feel the need to lie about how much they gamble or even secretly gamble while at work. They can become irritable and angry if they are unable to control their gambling. They might even increase their bets in the hope that they will recover their losses, a behaviour known as chasing.
Some groups are more vulnerable to developing a gambling problem, such as young people, those with low incomes or those who have other mental health problems. Up to 4% of people treated for alcohol or drug addiction have a gambling disorder, and about 7% of psychiatric inpatients have one as well. The Royal College of Psychiatrists believes that more needs to be done to evaluate and treat gambling problems within primary care. It believes that people should be screened for the condition just as they are screened for other addictive behaviors, such as tobacco and alcohol. This would help to identify those who are at risk of developing a problem, and it could lead to better strategies for prevention and treatment.