Gambling is a commercially organised activity where people wager money on a random event with the intent of winning something else of value. This can include lotteries, horse racing and sports betting.
Having a flutter from time to time is generally not problematic, but if gambling becomes compulsive, it can be very harmful to your health and relationships. To manage your gambling addiction, it is best to seek help from a qualified therapist or doctor.
Family therapy and marriage, career, and credit counseling can help you work through the specific issues that have been created by your problem gambling and lay the foundation for repairing your relationships and finances. You can also learn to resist unwanted thoughts and habits that are triggered by your gambling habit.
Relationship harms can occur as a result of your gambling and are similar to those identified in financial harms. These are often associated with a breakdown of trust, or a threat to break up your relationship.
A person with a gambling problem can also be at risk of developing depression, stress, or substance abuse problems. These can trigger your gambling problem, or they can make it worse.
Harms relating to your relationships can be a significant barrier to seeking assistance or treatment. They can be caused by your gambling or by the perception of your gambling as a deviant or unacceptable behaviour.
Despite this, many families have managed to overcome their challenges and maintain their relationship, even with the presence of a gambling problem. If you have a gambling problem, it is important to get help as soon as possible so you can start living a more balanced life.