Health Effects of Gambling
Gambling involves risking something valuable for a chance to win a prize. It can take place in casinos, racetracks, video games and on the internet. People gamble for many reasons, including socialising and escape from worries or stress. However, if gambling gets out of control it can lead to serious problems. If you or someone you know is struggling with a problem, it’s important to seek help.
It can be difficult to tell when gambling becomes a problem. In fact, it’s often referred to as the “hidden addiction.” There are no outward signs of gambling addiction like there are for alcohol or drug abuse. Many people who have a problem with gambling are able to hide their symptoms from friends and family members. In addition, there are many reasons why it may be difficult to stop gambling, such as pressure from loved ones and financial difficulties.
While it can be tempting to play for real money, the truth is that most people who gamble lose. Whether you buy lottery tickets, play online poker or put together your fantasy sports team, the odds are very much against you. People who gamble talk about their wins a lot, but rarely admit to their losses. This makes it seem like gambling is a harmless pastime, but the truth is much different.
In addition, the act of gambling is often linked to other unhealthy behaviours. It is common for people who gamble to be more likely to have a mental health disorder or substance use disorder. People who work in gambling venues, such as casinos or betting shops, are also more likely to develop a gambling problem.
The link between gambling and mental health is complex, but some of the most common issues that arise include feelings of sadness or hopelessness, depression and suicidal thoughts. There is also a strong link between gambling and self-harm, especially cutting. The risk of suicide is higher in people with an untreated gambling disorder.
In order to evaluate the health effects of gambling, we searched the MEDLINE database (1966 to present) using the MeSH term “gambling” and the keywords “health, mental illness, screening, and treatment.” Several articles were reviewed to determine their relevance to our research question. The most relevant articles discuss the health effects of gambling, including the screening for and treatment of problem and pathological gambling behaviors. In addition, the role of gambling as a risk factor for other health concerns is discussed, including alcohol misuse, depression and anxiety. The results of this review suggest that there is a growing need to assess patients’ gambling behavior in primary care settings for evidence of addiction and the implications for their health. This is a key step in the move towards prevention of problematic gambling. Identifying a patient’s risk for problem gambling can lead to better outcomes and increased compliance with recommended treatments. This is particularly true when the evaluation is framed as a health issue and not an inquiry into lifestyle choices.