Gambling

I don’t think there is any harm in gambling now and then, the problem comes when it becomes more than just a bad habit. Gambling begins as a bad habit, something to do in your spare time, but it quickly becomes part of your routine, and becomes and all encompassing and hard to break addiction, that rules your life.

There are very few people that have any kind of understanding of the devastating impact that a habit of gambling can have. Gambling is one habit that if it gets a hold on you, it takes over your entire life. It wrecks your marriage, alienates your family, leaves you in financial ruin and destroys your life. Just as alcohol abuse is gambling is often a root cause for domestic violence and child abuse.

It is bad for your health, and the truly addicted can suffer depression, insomnia, intestinal disorders, migraine and other stress related problems, according to a new study.
For one per cent of gamblers who are hooked on their vice, this is a significant public health problem, which can even lead to suicide.

Among slot machine obsessed adolescents, the rate of problem gambling rises to two per cent, according to Mark Griffiths, a professor of gambling studies at Nottingham Trent University.
He suggests that the forthcoming changes to gambling legislation in the UK should also be accompanied by health professionals that Britain’s 300, 00 problem gamblers have health issues that need to be taken more seriously.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/15929.php

I consider gambling as unhealthy, because of the implications it can have on your health. It can also be an unreasonable and imprudent practice, particularly to those who are closest to you, and have to live with the consequences of your actions. I think people are attracted to the idea of gambling because of the thrill, and rush that it gives them, at the possibility of winning huge sums of money. In their favour, if it is controlled it can be an enjoyable experience. However if it is not the impact it has on your life can be devastating.