In the past, gambling was associated with criminal activity and moral turpitude, but today, it’s considered a fun and enjoyable pastime by many people. But it is important to remember that this activity can have serious consequences for some people. These negative impacts can affect their physical and mental health, their relationships, their performance at work or study and can even lead to debt, bankruptcy and homelessness.
In a nutshell, gambling is an addictive activity that stimulates parts of the brain responsible for reward and risk-taking behaviour. This activity can also lead to a range of other disorders and symptoms, including impaired judgement, distorted reasoning, impulsiveness and addiction. These conditions can be triggered by certain environmental and biological factors, such as an underactive brain reward system, genetic predispositions to thrill-seeking behaviour, an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex, and the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Although most people can enjoy gambling and don’t have a problem, some of them over-indulge, causing harm to their lives, their families, their communities and the country as a whole. Problem gambling can be linked to other psychological and behavioural problems, including anxiety, depression, psychosis, bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The good news is that most people can control their gambling and stop when they want to. Some of them may need to set limits and try different strategies for doing so, but most can manage to stop on their own. However, it is worth remembering that the human brain doesn’t mature fully until the age of 25, so younger people may be more prone to developing bad habits and not being able to control their impulses, even with self-imposed limits.
There are many reasons why someone might gamble, ranging from socialising with friends to passing the time. Some people also gamble for coping reasons – to forget their problems, or because they’re feeling nervous or depressed. Gambling can also be used as a way to make money, but it’s important to remember that there are plenty of other ways to do that, such as by working, volunteering or joining a community group.
Longitudinal studies on gambling can provide valuable information about the underlying mechanisms of this addictive activity. However, such studies are expensive and difficult to conduct, especially over a long period of time. They can also be confounded by a number of factors, such as the effects of ageing, period effects and sample attrition.
In addition, there are cultural and personal beliefs about gambling that can influence how a person perceives the risks and benefits of this activity. For example, a gambler who comes from a culture where gambling is viewed as a normal part of life may find it harder to recognise that they have a problem and seek help. This is why it is important to consider the impact of an individual’s culture when looking at how they might respond to a gambling intervention programme.
