Gambling has become more accessible and acceptable than ever before. In fact, four out of five adults in the United States have gambled at some point in their lives. Every state offers some form of legalized gambling, and it is easy to play in the comfort of your own home, if you have a computer or cell phone. Approximately two million people in the U.S. are addicted to gambling. Around 20 million people have gambling problems. Unfortunately, these problems are often difficult to detect and treat.
Problem gambling
In its broadest sense, problem gambling is an addictive behavior in which a person loses control over their urges to gamble. Gambling can cause problems for an individual in several areas of their lives, including their personal life, social life, and career. Moreover, it can cause financial ruin and legal problems for those who are addicted to gambling. If not treated, problem gambling can even lead to suicide. So, how do you tell if you are suffering from problem gambling?
Prevention
Studies on the prevention of gambling include the use of different interventions. Interventions are classified into two categories: universal preventive programs that address the entire population, and targeted interventions that target high-risk populations. Whole-population prevention programs aim to reduce gambling opportunities, as well as the demand for gambling. Targeted interventions include therapeutic and self-help approaches. Besides prevention programs, there are also pharmacological treatments and self-help programs that target specific groups. Various prevention approaches have been tested in various settings, and some have been proven effective.
Treatment
Fortunately, there are several options for treatment of gambling addiction, including intensive outpatient programs. Intensive outpatient programs allow patients to participate in structured therapy nine or more hours a week, but they are also designed to give patients the independence of living on their own schedule. These programs can also serve as a stepping-stone to a residential program to prevent relapse. Research suggests that psychotherapy is more effective than medications in treating gambling addiction. Recovery training can teach patients how to cope with high-risk situations and prevent them from engaging in unhealthy gambling.
Common forms
Gambling is a form of entertainment where participants risk something of value in hopes of winning a prize. Many different forms of gambling exist, including horse and dog racetrack betting, off-track wagering, lotteries, casino games, bingo, and bookmaking. Many of these activities are also risky, and may require significant amounts of money. In addition to casinos, some forms of gambling are legal. These include online casino gambling, poker, and bingo.
Dangers
Despite the obvious dangers associated with gambling, children and teens can develop a problem by playing video games. These games are fun for some, but may become problematic for others. In fact, a survey conducted by the National Council on Problem Gambling found that 60 to 80 percent of high school students admitted to gambling for money in the past year. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, the Gambling Commission reports that nearly one in five children have a gambling problem. This means that children as young as eleven to sixteen have a greater likelihood of having a gambling problem than they do of drinking, smoking, and doing drugs.
Statistics
The study of statistics of gambling was conducted by math professor Dennis Connolly of the University of Lethbridge in Canada. In an experiment, he divided undergraduate statistics students into experimental and control groups. His experiments revealed that the students who completed the course were more likely to calculate basic gambling odds and recognize common gambling fallacies than their counterparts in the control group. This suggests that gambling statistics can help people become more aware of the risks associated with different types of gambling.