Gambling and Its Impact on Health
While gambling may seem like a fun social experience or a novelty, it can also become a habit without the person’s knowledge. Gambling should be limited to one form of entertainment. As time goes by, it may become an important form of entertainment. Gambling can lead to a stressful lifestyle if the person does not understand the impact it is having on their lives. Learning why you gamble can help you change your behaviour. Gambling organisations offer support and counselling for those affected by gambling problems, as well as support for families and friends.
Impacts of gambling on personal level
The negative impacts of gambling on a personal level are extensive. These impacts can range from increased stress to physical health concerns. Indirectly, however, gambling can contribute to a stronger community economy. In addition to the direct effects on health, it can also be a source of entertainment. Many of the negative experiences of gambling are interrelated and compounding. These consequences can seriously affect the individual’s ability to function. The following are some of the most important aspects of gambling and its impact on health.
The consequences of pathological gambling are varied and often include physical, psychological, and social consequences. Pathological gamblers can suffer from cardiovascular disease, peptic ulcer disease, and stress-related diseases. Pathological gamblers also experience intense guilt, impulsivity, and impaired decision-making skills. These impacts can have lasting negative effects on an individual’s personal and professional life, as well as on their relationships. As a result, it is important to seek treatment for gambling addiction to stop this damaging behavior.
Personal level
The level of personal risk associated with personal level of gambling depends on the person’s personality. As the amount of gambling increases, the likelihood of developing gambling problems increases. The level of risk is higher when gambling in more than one form. Problem gamblers often overestimate the risk associated with their peers’ pathological gambling. This is because novelty seeking is a stable personality trait. However, when gambling in multiple forms, the risks of developing gambling problems rise dramatically.
Community level
The objective of community level gambling evaluation is to identify the barriers to and enablers of community-based gambling interventions. To address these barriers, HealthWest provided a brief for an evaluator to use as a guide for the evaluation. It outlines three main objectives: To understand community-level gambling harm, to co-design effective responses with key community members, and to assess barriers to and enablers of effective gambling interventions. The brief provides specific examples of each.
In order to address this issue, HealthWest formed a collaborative of six peak ethnic organisations to implement a range of strategies. The evaluation results of these collaborations show a positive effect. This project was a model of cross-cultural community engagement, with different roles and responsibilities being clearly defined. It also reveals the need for more effective gambling prevention and education programs and initiatives. Community level gambling evaluations are critical to identifying and responding to the causes of gambling harm and to building a strong foundation for future work.