Gambling is sort of like Marmite; some people love it and others hate it. But whether you’re in the former camp or the latter, it’s important to understand how gambling works so that you can make informed choices about your own spending habits and avoid getting hooked on the activity.

Almost everyone can gamble responsibly, but for some people, gambling becomes problematic. Compulsive gambling is a serious mental health disorder characterized by recurrent urges to gamble despite negative consequences. People with pathological gambling (PG) have a high risk of developing other addictive behaviors, such as alcohol or drug addiction. PG typically starts in adolescence or young adulthood and develops over several years.

Although some people who gamble compulsively do so for coping reasons, such as to forget their worries or because it relieves boredom, most gamblers are motivated by the desire to win money. And when they do win, their brain releases a dopamine rush that makes them feel good about themselves. This feeling can make them want to gamble even more, especially when they encounter a string of losses or hear about other people’s wins.

If a loved one has a problem with gambling, encourage them to seek help from a trained professional. Also, try to be supportive and understanding. Remember, your loved one didn’t choose to become a gambler. Often, they started gambling for a positive reason early on and then became addicted. You can also offer encouragement by encouraging them to engage in healthy activities, such as physical exercise and attending a support group for families such as Gamblers Anonymous.