Gambling is risking money or something of value on an event whose outcome depends on chance. This can be done alone or with others. People gamble for many reasons – some do it for the thrill, or to escape from everyday life, or as a way of socializing with friends. Gambling can be harmful to one’s health, and it has economic impacts on society.

Often, when people are gambling, they are not aware of how much harm it causes. It’s important for people to learn more about the negative effects of gambling, and also to be able to recognize when someone they care about is suffering from a problem.

There are many ways to relieve unpleasant feelings and boredom, but gambling can be a dangerous activity for those who struggle with addiction. It can change your brain chemistry, causing you to crave highs and lows. This cycle can lead to depression, relapse, and even suicide. There are healthier ways to relieve boredom, such as exercising, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, taking up new hobbies, or practicing relaxation techniques.

When it comes to assessing the impact of gambling, many studies neglect the social impacts. While monetary impacts are easily quantified, the social costs and benefits of gambling are more complex. This article reviews complementing and contrasting methodologies to create a model for estimating social impacts using health-related quality of life weights, commonly used in alcohol and drug research.