Gambling is a common pastime that involves risking something of value in a game of chance, such as on sports events or games of skill, like poker. People gamble for many reasons, such as to socialize or escape from worries or stress. But gambling can become a serious problem, especially for people who start to spend more than they can afford or borrow money to gamble. In severe cases, it can lead to bankruptcy and financial disaster, strain family relationships, and even cause thoughts of suicide.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, there are ways to get help. Treatment options include therapy, support groups and self-help tips. This article explains what gambling is, how it affects the brain and factors that may contribute to problematic gambling. It also describes how to recognize gambling problems and find help for them.

Problematic gambling can occur in anyone who gambles, regardless of the type of gambling and whether it’s legal or not. In addition, it can be triggered by many different circumstances, including stress, boredom, or negative emotions. Some people may also be predisposed to thrill-seeking behaviours, or have an underactive reward system in their brain. This can affect how they process rewards, control impulses and weigh risk.

Gambling sends massive surges of dopamine through the brain, which can trigger feelings of euphoria and excitement. However, over time, this can derail your goals and make you crave more gambling activity to feel the same effect. This cycle can lead to a downward spiral where you end up spending more and more to try and make up for your losses.

Symptoms of problematic gambling include thinking about gambling all the time, wanting to bet more and more money, or trying to win back what you’ve lost (“chasing your losses”). It can also affect your work or home life, and can cause serious financial problems. If you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one, seek help right away.

There are many treatments for problem gambling, such as psychotherapy, which looks at how unconscious processes influence behavior, and group therapy. Family therapy is particularly useful for families of people with gambling disorders, as it helps them reestablish healthy communication and create a more stable home environment. Other types of therapy that are commonly used to treat gambling disorder include psychodynamic therapy, which explores the relationship between past experiences and current behaviors, and cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches healthier coping strategies. In addition to treatment, it’s important to set boundaries when managing family finances and credit. This way, you can ensure your own financial stability and avoid being lured into a cycle of gambling addiction.