Gambling is a popular activity that can be done in many ways, from buying lottery tickets to playing online poker and betting on sports. However, most people who gamble end up losing more than they win. This is because gambling affects the reward center of the brain and makes people seek out things that give them a good feeling, such as spending time with loved ones, eating delicious food, and so on. People may even rely on other people to fund their gambling activities or cover the money they have lost, which can lead to a range of problems for both the person and those around them.
Some people may also gamble for coping reasons, such as to forget their worries, or because they enjoy thinking about winning and what they would do with the money. It is important to remember that these motivations don’t absolve a person of responsibility for their gambling behaviour, but they can help us understand why some people find it difficult to stop gambling and what may have led them to start in the first place.
If you are struggling with a gambling problem, there is support available to help you recover. You can find financial counselling for support with money management, debt, and credit issues, or you can join a peer support group like Gamblers Anonymous, which follows a model similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. It is important to have a strong support network, so consider reaching out to friends and family or seeking out new social opportunities, such as joining a book club or sports team, taking a class or enrolling in an education course, or volunteering for a community organisation.
