Gambling As a Vice and a Mental Health Issue

Gambling is the risking of something of value (money or property) on an event whose outcome is determined at least in part by chance. It is often considered a vice, but it can also be an enjoyable pastime for some people. It can also hurt relationships, cause problems at work or school and lead to financial disaster. For some, it can even be a serious mental health issue.

The most common form of gambling is putting money on games of chance, such as slot machines and bingo. However, it can also be done with cards, marbles, or other objects that have a monetary value. Many people think that playing video games such as Madden NFL or Assassin’s Creed Origins is not gambling, but researchers have found that opening ” loot bags” or packs in these popular games can meet the definition of gambling (Nature Human Behaviour, Vol 2, 2018).

While the majority of gamblers do not experience problems, some people become addicted to gambling. People who start gambling in early adulthood are more likely to develop a problem, and men are more susceptible than women. People who have depression or anxiety, are taking medication that affects their mood, or are struggling with alcohol use are also more at risk for gambling disorders.

Some people find it difficult to recognise when their gambling is becoming a problem. They may try to minimise their gambling, deny that it is causing harm, or hide evidence of their addiction from others. They may even be secretive or lie about their gambling, or steal money to fund their addiction.

The good news is that, if you are concerned about someone’s gambling, help is available. There are services that offer support, assistance and counselling to those who have a problem with gambling, as well as their family and friends. The best place to begin is by talking to your doctor, who will be able to advise you on what is available.

While there is a growing role for primary care doctors to assess patients for addictive disorders, it can be challenging to spot warning signs of gambling problems. These can include spending more time at home gambling than at work or social activities; missing work or school due to gambling; hiding the evidence of gambling; lying to family and colleagues; and suicidal thoughts. A new tool that assesses a patient’s vulnerability to gambling-related harm could help doctors identify those who need help. It uses questions and a questionnaire to measure symptoms of gambling disorder, including denial, hyper-vigilance, lying, and substance misuse. It also includes a screening question about suicide ideation. The tool is being piloted in psychiatric practices in the United Kingdom. It is hoped that it will eventually be used in the UK National Screening Programme for Gambling Problems. It is available on the NHS Choices website.