How to Avoid Problem Gambling

The use of a gambling test to identify problem gambling is indicative rather than diagnostic, and the answers of patients may be related to past or isolated incidents. Further, this type of test may cause false positives. In addition to psychological assessments, you can perform a DSM-IV-TR-based assessment of a patient’s gambling problems, which may be difficult to diagnose. However, if you suspect a patient may be suffering from a gambling pathology, you can consider motivational interviewing techniques or assessment procedures to encourage self-acceptance.

Problem gambling can lead to thoughts of suicide. If you have had such a thought, call 999 or visit A&E immediately. Gambling is more likely to happen to people with mental health problems. These individuals may be tempted to gamble in order to feel better about themselves or distract themselves from their distress. Problem gambling can also occur as a result of financial crisis, in which case professional help is available through StepChange, a free debt advice service.

When it comes to responsible gambling, you should understand the odds and stop when you are losing. Gambling should be considered an expense and not a source of income. Chance-based gambling includes lottery games, bingo games, and gaming machines. Players have an equal chance of winning, which can make the game less appealing for some people. However, if you want to avoid losing money, you should consider a regulated game where you know the odds and how to stop.