Gambling is the wagering of something of value (such as money, or property) on an event whose outcome is uncertain. It is a popular pastime that can be fun in moderation but it can become problematic if it is a habit and begins to interfere with daily life. It is common to find gambling essays and research papers in higher education as it is a popular topic for students to explore and understand its impact on society.
Gambling takes many forms and can include betting on sports events, buying lottery tickets, playing online games or even placing bets with friends. Whether it is the thrill of winning or the rush from risking your money, gambling is an addictive activity that can cause problems for people who are not in control of their own behaviour.
It is important to realise when you have a problem with gambling and seek help before it reaches crisis point. There are a number of ways to get help for your gambling addiction, including peer support groups like Gamblers Anonymous. These are similar to alcoholics anonymous and based on the 12-step recovery programme.
Another way to get help is through residential addiction treatment. This is often recommended to people who have a problem with gambling, as it provides the time and space that you need to focus on your recovery. Through group and one-to-one therapy sessions, workshops and seminars you will be able to address the impact gambling has had on your life and those close to you, recognise triggers for your addictive behaviour and learn coping strategies to help you move forward.
The most common symptom of gambling addiction is spending more and more money than you can afford. Whether it is through the use of credit cards, taking out payday loans or overdrafts, you will quickly run into trouble if you continue to gamble without controlling your spending. The first step to overcoming this is to control your cash – cut up all your cards, put someone else in charge of your bank accounts, or close all your online betting accounts. You can also take out self-exclusion schemes to stop yourself from visiting venues and websites where you used to gamble.
You can also try to replace the pleasure that you got from gambling with activities that have a different sort of appeal. Hobbies are a good example of this, as they can provide a similar feeling of excitement and endorphin, but are less financially hazardous. Try exercising, socialising with non-gambling friends, or even picking up a new hobby that doesn’t involve any form of gambling.
Finally, try to identify what it is that you’re trying to achieve by gambling – is it a sense of excitement, the need to relieve boredom, or a way of socialising? Once you have recognised this, it will be easier to find other ways to achieve these goals that don’t involve gambling. For example, if you’re tempted to gamble after work, try finding a different route home or spend your time with colleagues who don’t gamble.