Gambling is a common way for a person to release unpleasant emotions. However, it can become an addiction when a person becomes preoccupied with gambling and is unable to control their urges. The gambler often lies to cover up their gambling activities, and is dependent on others for money to deal with financial problems. Listed below are some symptoms of gambling addiction. Here are some ways to identify if you or a loved one may have an addiction.

Problem gambling can be a debilitating disease that can affect many aspects of one’s life. It’s especially difficult for a person to deal with social rejection, shame, and guilt that come from a gambling problem. If you or someone you love has a gambling problem, you can find support and help through online resources and peer support groups. If you’re a gambler, you can join Gamblers Anonymous, a 12-step program modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous. This program requires a sponsor, a former gambler who can provide support and guidance.

Gambling can have negative social, physical, and psychological repercussions. It is a compulsion that is primarily motivated by intense pleasure or the need to reduce anxiety. In the 1980s, the American Psychiatric Association classified pathological gambling as an impulse-control disorder. It was later moved into the addictions chapter of the DSM-5 manual. Gambling addiction can lead to other mental health problems, including depression and suicidal thoughts.

If you are a gambler, it is important to make a decision to stop gambling. You must be able to resist the urge to gamble and not give in to the temptation. You need to control your spending. Eliminate all credit cards, let someone else manage your money, and close online gambling accounts. You should only carry a small amount of cash with you and only spend the money you have available. Once you’ve resisted the urge to gamble, you’ll be much more likely to stop it.

Problem gambling can be an symptom of another condition such as bipolar disorder. The urge to gamble can be triggered by a mood disorder, and the compulsive behavior can lead to depression and anxiety. The disorder will remain long after you quit gambling. Therefore, it’s important to seek treatment for this mental condition. It is best to consult a qualified professional before attempting to quit. For more information, visit a gambling support group.

Various research has shown that the prevalence of problem gambling is higher in college-aged populations. Researchers believe this may be due to broader developmental issues among college-aged individuals. The British Gambling Prevalence Study found that college-aged men have a higher prevalence of problem gambling than older populations. In contrast, college-aged women only experienced a 0.2% rate of problem gambling. These numbers indicate that gambling problems are widespread in young adults and can affect a person’s life at any age.

There are many types of gambling. In the stock market, gambling involves putting your money at risk, and requires knowledge and skill. In other areas, like the life insurance market, paying premiums is a form of gambling, and losing premiums in this case is essentially betting that you will die within a certain period of time. Winning premiums go to your beneficiaries; those who lose are kept by the insurance company. While many people who develop gambling addiction are deemed responsible, genetic and social factors play a role in this.