Some of the negative effects of gambling addiction include mental health problems, money worries, family frustrations and changes in personality. Gambling is when a person places a bet or wager to win money on something that has an uncertain outcome. Someone may decide to gamble on something for three reasons; how much money to bet, the odds of the wager and the agreed situation and condition regarding the bet.
Skill is the gamblers judgement when deciding if these three factors will provide a return. Casinos, poker games, slot machines and online betting are some of the more common forms of betting. Games of dice, card games and coin tossing are forms of non casino gambling. Betting of sports, bingo and the lottery are some other types of gambling.
Negative Effects
Gambling is meant to be a recreational pastime that can be relaxing and invigorating but it is sometimes far from that. Taxing, stressful and risky are words that would better describe gambling. Anxiety can build when more and more money is risked, especially if the gambler is gambling beyond their means.
As time goes by a habit if formed and gambling starts to affect the player in a negative way at many levels. Problem gambling affects psychological well being, physical health and social correctness. Stress can bring on health problems like stomach ulcers, headaches, insomnia and aches and pains in the muscles.
Mood swings and strange covert behaviour can start as the gambler is battling with the desire to gamble and knowing it is having a bad effect on their life. Having to keep gambling more and more, like taking drugs or alcohol, to get the feeling of euphoria becomes a habit that is almost impossible to stop. The children of a gambling addict often feel lost and angry which can lead to a breakdown in family relations.
Having a depressive disorder is likely in many problem gamblers. Suicidal tendencies are said to be 1 in 5 of those with a gambling problem. Both children and partners of problem gamblers are more likely to suffer abuse from the problem gambler.
Other addictions are linked with gambling addiction, such as substance abuse which can help get the feeling of euphoria they have whilst gambling. The environment where a gambler is likely to pursue their addiction is often in a place where drugs and alcohol are also easily available.
Research has shown that those people with alcohol disorders have a higher chance of becoming addicted to gambling. It has also been shown that children of a gambling addict are often addicted to drugs.
Gambling can take its toll on the lives of a problem gambler through abusive behaviour. The stress and strain of money worries, mental health problems and the possibility of substance abuse.
It has been proven that gambling is addictive and will lead to more and more of the activity regardless of the harm it is causing their family, friends and finances.
Criminal activity can be undertaken to help fund the gambling addiction. As the mind is distorted it is almost impossible to think clearly and wrong decisions are often made.