Gambling is a popular pastime for many people, with an estimated $10 trillion of money being legally wagered every year (illegal gambling exceeds this amount). People gamble for social, financial, and entertainment reasons. They might place a bet with friends, try their hand at scratchcards or fruit machines, or play online games such as poker or bingo. Ultimately, however, people gamble because they want to win something.

While most people who gamble do so without any problems, a small group become seriously involved with gambling and continue to do so despite negative personal, social, and family consequences. This group is considered to have a pathological gambling disorder. Pathological gambling is also known as compulsive or problem gambling. While some individuals who are addicted to gambling have developed the disorder independently, others develop it as a result of underlying mood disorders such as depression or anxiety, which can both trigger and be made worse by gambling.

There is increasing recognition of the potential for gambling to be a psychological disorder. This has been reflected in the changes in the description of pathological gambling within successive editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association. In particular, the relationship between pathological gambling and sensation-seeking and disinhibition has been established.

It is also clear that a significant number of individuals who are at risk for developing gambling disorders may benefit from a treatment program. It is therefore important that clinicians are aware of this possibility and are able to identify such patients at the time of their initial evaluation.

The main goal of a treatment program is to help the person stop gambling. This can be difficult because of the strong emotional attachment to the activity and a desire to win. There are a number of things that can be done to help someone break their gambling habit, including support groups, therapy, medication, and self-help books. In some cases, residential or inpatient treatments are required for those with a severe gambling addiction who are not able to stop gambling on their own.

Individuals who have a gambling disorder should seek help for any underlying mood disorders that are contributing to their behavior. They should also learn to manage unpleasant feelings in healthier ways, such as exercising, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, and practicing relaxation techniques. Moreover, it is a good idea for those who are at high risk of developing a gambling disorder to make regular appointments with their primary care physician and have their gambling behavior evaluated. Depending on the individual, these consultations might lead to recommendations for screening or treatment. It is essential that a patient’s adherence to their treatment plan is monitored. Failure to do so can lead to relapse. For this reason, it is important for a patient to have access to round-the-clock phone and/or face-to-face support when needed. This can be a critical factor in maintaining long-term recovery from gambling disorder.