Gambling Disorders in Canada

gambling

There are many different ways to overcome the urge to gamble. Depending on the severity of your problem, you may need to seek professional help to stop your gambling addiction. You can also try to make new friends who don’t share your gambling interests, take up volunteer work, or enroll in an education class. If all else fails, you can join a peer support group. If your problem is severe enough, you can try Gamblers Anonymous (GA) or Gam-Anon, two organizations that provide 12-step recovery programs for people who struggle with gambling addiction.

Gambling is the risk of losing money while gaining or losing money largely by chance. It is an industry that has grown rapidly in Canada over the past decade. Once considered illegal and disreputable, gambling has transformed into a multi-billion-dollar industry in Canada. Moreover, the general public now prefers to use the funds generated by gambling to fund important initiatives. While many people associate gambling with casinos, the term also applies to sports betting.

Gambling disorders often run in families. Other risk factors include social inequity and trauma. Gamblers may begin to display symptoms of gambling in their adolescent years, but the disorder can manifest at any age. Men are more likely than women to develop gambling disorders. There are many types of therapy for people with gambling disorders, including cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and family therapy. While these therapies may not completely solve the problem, they can help you overcome the destructive cycle and live a healthier, more productive life.