gambling

gambling

Vox populi An activity in which a person wagers against another person–eg, friend, acquaintance, bookmaker or 'bookie', or organization–eg, casino, horse race track, internet company engaged in said activity, either legal or illegal, on the likelihood of a particular outcome, either in a game of chance, or sports event or other activity for which the outcome is not known in advance. See Compulsive gambling.

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Patient discussion about gambling.

Q. Do people substitute one addiction with another? If someone used to be addicted to alcohol and drugs, but is now clean for several months, is it likely that he will develop an addiction to something else (for example cigarettes or gambling)?

A. I'd just like to add my 2 cents worth: Addictive behavior transfers to just about anything; addiction is the problem. Just as addicts have to learn that alcohol is also a drug, we must recognize that addiction is the problem; it is the behavior that is the problem. A common thing for addicts to do is to stop using drugs (including alcohol) and to substitute with people instead, for example, to become involved in codependent relationships with others, or to recognize that their ongoing relationships may also be codependent. It's not uncommon for individuals to go to CoDA (Codependents Anonymous) in addition to AA/NA or GA(Gambler's Anonymous), MA (Marijuana Anonymous)...Others find it more beneficial to use one program (like NA, e.g.), while realizing that addiction refers to more than just a drug or substance.