Whether it is purchasing a lottery ticket, betting on a football match or scratchcard or using the pokies, gambling involves placing something of value (money) on a random event with the intention of winning. There are some psychiatric disorders associated with gambling. These include compulsive gambling and pathological gambling.
The risk is high for those who have an addictive disorder and it can affect relationships and work performance. Counseling can help people understand the problems associated with gambling and think about options. There are no FDA-approved medications for treating gambling disorders but psychotherapy can be helpful. Counseling can involve family therapy, group therapy and psychodynamic therapy. The goal of these types of therapies is to increase a person’s self-awareness and understanding of how unconscious processes can influence behavior.
The best advice is to only gamble with disposable income and never with money that needs to be saved or used to pay for bills. It is also important to find other things to do with your time. It is also a good idea to seek help for mood disorders like depression, anxiety or substance abuse. These can trigger or worsen gambling disorder and should be treated before attempting to quit. It is also a good idea to get counseling for any other issues that may be causing problems in your life. This can include relationship, marriage, career and credit counseling. It can also be helpful to join a support group such as Gamblers Anonymous.