Gambling is a fun and social activity, but it also has many negative effects. It can make you feel bad about yourself, harm your relationships and performance at work or study, get you into trouble with the law, leave you in serious debt and even cause homelessness.
Gamblers who have problems may have an underlying mood disorder such as depression, anxiety or substance abuse. These problems are often made worse by gambling, so it’s important to talk to a doctor or therapist about them. They can then work with you to get your life back on track and help you find happiness again.
If you are struggling with a gambling problem, talk to your GP or a specialist addictions counsellor. They can help you decide whether gambling is a problem, and they will also give you tips on how to stop. They may be able to prescribe medications that can help treat your underlying mood disorder.
It is important to understand the impacts of gambling and how they affect the lives of people and communities. This is especially important if you are thinking about trying to stop gambling.
Impacts of gambling can be divided into three levels – individual, interpersonal, and society/community/society level. These levels are important because they allow for the measurement of impacts on different groups in a community. For example, if gamblers’ debt and financial strain affect their families, these external impacts may become visible in family and community discussions about gambling.
In the literature, there is a limited amount of research that examines impact studies on gambling. These studies measure the costs and benefits of gambling by examining both the positive and negative effects of gambling on people and communities.
The primary goal of these studies is to identify the social, economic, and health impacts of gambling. They can also help policymakers make decisions about whether to allow or restrict gambling.
Some studies have analyzed the costs of gambling, while others have looked at its effects on public services, including healthcare. They have also examined the effects of problem gambling and its resulting costs, such as police fees and jail time.
For example, a study of Sweden found that people with problem gambling spent $1000 more per person on police fees than the average person. This was because problem gamblers were arrested for crimes related to their gambling, such as driving while intoxicated and committing violent crimes.
This cost is an estimated extra burden on the social services system. It is a significant issue in many countries and should be addressed by governments, as it can be expensive to keep a troubled gambler out of jail.
There are many ways to fight a gambling problem, from using a gambling self-help book or talking to someone about your situation. You can also try cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This is an evidence-based type of therapy that focuses on how you think about betting and your behaviour when you want to gamble.
