While many studies on gambling have focused on the economic costs and benefits of gambling, they have neglected to measure its social effects. Until now, researchers have only defined social costs in terms of their financial value – harming someone, but benefiting no one – rather than their personal value. But a new study has changed this paradigm, and it focuses on the social costs of gambling. According to Williams et al., “gambling causes significant harm not just to individuals but to society as a whole.”
Impacts of gambling on health
A recent study investigated the impact of gambling on health. Researchers used the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) and the Short Gambling Harms Screen to identify individuals who suffer from the negative effects of gambling. The authors used an experienced utility framework to estimate the magnitude of these effects, as well as their association with gender, age, and problem gambling status. The researchers also investigated the potential role of social factors in the negative impact of gambling.
The SGHS was designed to measure health utility and identify statistically significant decrements in health for people who gamble. They also targeted harmful outcomes related to problem gambling, risky gambling, and excessive gambling. As a result, the study was not overly conservative. It was important to ensure that health utility scores were balanced between affected and reference groups in order to minimize framing effects. However, it is important to note that future research should include broader measures of health utility and risk factors.
Costs of problem gambling
The societal costs of problem gambling are difficult to calculate, and the exact figures are not available. Intangible costs, such as the damage done to relationships, family violence, and suicide, range from $400 million to $1.2 billion. The direct economic costs are related to gambling that exceeds the normal level of behavior, when people gamble because of compulsion or other factors. However, these costs are not directly proportional to the level of harm caused by problem gambling.
Moreover, pathological gamblers often misuse credit cards or write bad cheques to support their habits, which can put their families at risk. If these destructive habits persist, they may even file for bankruptcy. Unpaid debts are highly injurious for creditors, and their reputations are damaged. Various health conditions are also associated with gambling addiction. Some of these conditions are chronic and cause physical illnesses, such as heart disease, ulcers, and high blood pressure.
Methods of problem gambling treatment
There are many different methods of problem gambling treatment. These range from self-help to medications. These treatments are often recommended after an individual has tried unsuccessfully to quit the habit. Because of the serious financial and personal consequences of problem gambling, seeking professional help can be helpful. The best method of treatment depends on the individual and the severity of the gambling problem. Here are a few of the most common options for problem gambling treatment. Read on to learn more about each method and which one might be right for you.
The first method involves recommending that a person engage in safe forms of gambling. This treatment has some face validity, but the efficacy of harm minimisation has not been proven. Few studies have measured safe gambling habits. While many commonly promoted harm minimisation strategies may have good face validity, there is no evidence that they are effective. These techniques should be replaced with evidence-based practices. In the meantime, responsible gambling treatment may be the best option.