Gambling

Gambling, in its various forms—whether land-based casinos, online platforms, or sports betting—is a multi-billion-dollar global industry. Gambling, particularly in modern forms like lotteries or predatory gambling practices, often exploits vulnerable people. Casinos and lotteries target individuals who are desperate or struggling financially, promising a quick escape through wealth. The Bible speaks against exploiting the poor or using others for personal gain. Gambling can often lead to people losing everything, deepening poverty and despair, which contradicts the biblical call for compassion, fair treatment, and generosity. However, with its widespread popularity comes a hidden danger: the detrimental impact gambling can have on mental health.While many engage in gambling as a recreational activity without issue, for some, it can become a dangerous addiction, leading to serious psychological, emotional, and social consequences. Hebrews 13:5 says: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' 1 Timothy 6:9-10 says: "Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evil." These passages highlight that greed, or the excessive desire for wealth, is dangerous and leads people into temptation, ruin, and evil. Gambling often involves the pursuit of wealth at the expense of others or through chance, which can foster greed and undermine contentment. The Bible calls for contentment with what we have and stresses that money should not be the ultimate goal in life.

The ICD - 10 (classification of mental and behavioral disorders) classifies gambling as a pathological disorder where there are frequent, repeated episodes of gambling which dominate the life of the individual and are detrimental to their social, occupational, material, family values and commitments. Those who suffer from this may put many areas of their lives at risk - jobs, debts and may get into conflict with the law. Individuals suffering from gambling describe it as an intense urge to gamble, with preoccupation with ideas and images of the same, along with circumstances around the act.

Gambling at its core, is a risk-taking activity, and it taps into our natural desire for excitement and rewards. It triggers the human brain’s reward system - the release of dopamine, which is crucial for the reinforcement of the behaviour. When individuals win, even small amounts, the brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that creates feelings of pleasure. This “reward” makes the brain crave more gambling, reinforcing the cycle of risk and reward.

Cognitive Distortion such as the Gambler’s fallacy, where the individual fails to recognise the independence of chance events that are leading to the mistaken belief that one can predict the outcome of chance events based on the outcome of past chance events. In simple words, this means that the individual believes that the past will affect the outcome of the future, even if the events are statistically independent. This distortion makes it easier for people to convince themselves that they can influence the outcome of a game or that a loss is just a temporary setback. These cognitive biases can create a dangerous feedback loop, where individuals believe that more gambling will eventually lead to a win, despite mounting losses.

1 Corinthians 6:12 says: "I have the right to do anything," you say—but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"—but I will not be mastered by anything." Gambling can be addictive for some people. The desire to win big or the thrill of the gamble can take over and dominate someone's life, leading to a lack of self-control and poor decision-making. The Bible encourages self-control and warns against becoming enslaved to anything. Addiction to gambling can create a form of mastery over a person’s life, which runs contrary to the biblical principle of being free from anything that controls us.

The addiction to gambling may develop from certain personality traits. According to research, traits such as impulsivity and risk-taking can increase the likelihood for gambling. Individuals with a history of mental health issues may also use gambling as a form of escapism. Traumatic life events, such as the loss of a job, a relationship breakup, or financial hardship, can also trigger the onset of problem gambling. The escapism provided by gambling allows individuals to temporarily numb the pain of their emotional distress, reinforcing their addiction over time.

The psychological and emotional toll of gambling is immense. Anxiety, depression, and stress are common among individuals with gambling problems. The financial strain resulting from gambling losses often exacerbates these conditions, leading to a vicious cycle where the individual turns to gambling as a way to cope with their worsening mental health.Feelings of guilt, shame, and isolation are often prevalent among those struggling with gambling addiction. Many people hide their behavior from family and friends, resulting in damaged relationships and a profound sense of loneliness. The most tragic consequence of gambling is possibly the heightened risk of suicide and self-harm. Studies have found that individuals with gambling problems are significantly more likely to attempt suicide or engage in self-destructive behaviors. The emotional burden of facing financial ruin, coupled with the isolation and shame that accompany gambling addiction, can overwhelm individuals, pushing them to contemplate ending their lives.

Financial consequences of gambling are often disastrous. Many individuals experience debt in order to attempt to cover their losses. The financial strain can lead to strains within the family, domestic violence, loss of jobs, or even lead to dishonest behaviors like stealing or embezzlement to fund their gambling habit.

How to navigate the problem?

Early intervention is key to preventing gambling problems from escalating. Educational campaigns, such as those aimed at raising awareness about the risks of gambling, can help individuals recognize the signs of gambling addiction before it becomes severe.

Several psychological interventions like CBT (Cognitive behavior therapy), and motivational interviewing - a technique focused on changing behavior through resolving ambivalence and insecurities), according to research and studies, has shown high success rates of helping individuals deal with gambling. Medications may be used to treat co-occurring mental health disorders, such as depression or anxiety, which often accompany gambling addiction.

Counselling also helps the affected individuals to understand the impact it's having on them and everyone around them, it can help them get to the root causes and bring about solutions. Support from family and friends is equally important here. Avoiding isolation and occupying oneself with other activities help. Support groups like Gamblers Anonymous, use active peer support to help and stop others from gambling. Philippians 4:11-12 says: "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation...". The Bible teaches that trusting God for provision is the key to a peaceful and fulfilling life. Gambling often involves trying to “take matters into one’s own hands” in pursuit of financial windfall, rather than trusting God to provide what is needed. The pursuit of wealth through chance rather than hard work or responsible planning can reflect a lack of trust in God's provision.

Gambling addiction is a serious mental health issue that affects millions of people worldwide. The psychological consequences of gambling can be devastating, leading to anxiety, depression, relationship problems, and even suicide. It is essential that both individuals and society recognize the risks associated with gambling and take proactive measures to prevent and treat gambling-related mental health problems. Through a combination of therapeutic intervention, support systems, public awareness, and responsible gambling practices, we can mitigate the mental health impact of gambling and help those affected rebuild their lives.

(All information in this article is Public Domain)

References:

• Bodor, Davor, et al. “Treatment of Gambling Disorder: Review of Evidence-Based Aspects for Best Practice.” Current Opinion in Psychiatry, vol. 34, no. 5, 16 July 2021, pp. 508–513,
• Champion, Chayil. “Gambling Addiction Can Cause Psychological, Physiological Health Challenges.” Www.ucla health.org, 28 Dec. 2021,
• Fong, Timothy W. “The Biopsychosocial Consequences of Pathological Gambling.” Psychiatry (Edgmont), vol. 2, no. 3, Mar. 2005, p. 22, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3004711/.
• ICD-10
• Resnicow, Ken; McMaster, Fiona (March 2012). "Motivational Interviewing: moving from why to how with autonomy support". International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.
• “What Is Gambling Disorder?” Www.psychiatry.org, www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/gambling-disorder/what-is-gambling-disorder#section_7.