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Taking measures to prevent diseases, improve our health, and extend our lifespan
A disease affecting people from all walks of life
The condition where technology controls a person
Individuals may be referred to addiction treatment centers if deemed necessary
Promoting mental well-being by coping with stress and recognizing abilities
One of the most widely abused substances globally due to nicotine addiction
Activation of the brain's reward pleasure mechanism by repeating a certain behavior
Complete well-being physically, mentally, and socially
A product containing vaporized nicotine reported as harmful.
1.85 million out of 3 million deaths in 2017 were preventable.
The process of recovery by combating addiction
Inability to quit substances despite knowing the physical and psychological harms
Risking something valuable in hopes of gaining something more valuable
The beginning of the body's purification process after quitting substance use
The process of reintegrating into society healthily
According to the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11) published by the World Health Organization, gambling disorder is classified among behavioral addictions and is characterized by impaired control over gambling in terms of onset, frequency, intensity, duration, termination, and context. It also involves increasing priority given to gambling over other life interests and daily activities, as well as the continuation or escalation of gambling despite the occurrence of negative consequences.
Gambling behavior patterns may be continuous or episodic but are typically recurrent. To diagnose gambling disorder, the three characteristics mentioned above must be evident over a period of at least 12 months. However, if all these characteristics are present and symptoms are severe, the diagnosis may be made even if the duration is shorter. In recent years, with the increasing use of the internet, gambling disorder has also emerged in connection with online gambling behaviors.
Although gambling disorder was long considered an impulse control disorder in psychiatry, it has been reclassified under non-substance-related addictive disorders. This addiction is often accompanied by behaviors such as betting increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement, inability to control or stop gambling, constant preoccupation with gambling, giving gambling higher priority over other life interests and daily activities, continuing to gamble despite negative consequences, or an increasing motivation to gamble.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), gambling disorder is defined as:
A persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behavior leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as indicated by four (or more) of the following criteria in a 12-month period:
Gambling addiction has a comprehensive impact, not only harming the individual but also affecting their family and society negatively. The effects include:
For the Individual:
For the Family:
For Society:
To address gambling addiction, individuals should:
Engage in other activities to redirect focus, such as housework, exercise, reading or spending time with family.
To prevent gambling and potential relapses, consider:
· Gamblers often hope to recover their losses in a single attempt. When this does not happen, they may try to cover up their behavior and losses with lies.
· To obtain money for gambling, they may engage in illegal activities such as fraud, theft, embezzlement, or deception.
· Gambling can jeopardize or lead to the loss of important relationships, jobs, or educational opportunities.
· Individuals who realize they cannot compensate for their losses may experience severe distress, depression, and in some cases, suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Given the profound impact of this destructive habit on communities and families, treating pathological gambling as a public health issue is crucial. Successful treatment is possible by implementing a treatment model often used for substance addiction. Individuals with gambling addiction should be directed to the addiction treatment departments of hospitals.
To achieve success in a treatment program tailored to the individual, it is essential for the individual to first acknowledge that gambling addiction is a pathological disorder.
For more detailed information on the topics covered in this section, you may refer to the following sources:
• American Psychiatric Association (2014). DSM-5: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Trans. E. Köroğlu). Ankara: Hekimler Publishing House.
• 101 Questions on Addiction (2019). [Link: 101 Soruda Bağımlılık | Yeşilay (yesilay.org.tr)]
• American Psychological Association (2023). Gambling disorder. [Link: https://dictionary.apa.org/gambling-disorder ]
• American Psychiatric Association (2024). What is gambling disorder? [Link: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/gambling-disorder/what-is-gambling-disorder ]
• World Health Organization (2025). ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, Disorders due to addictive behaviors. [Link: https://icd.who.int/browse/2025-01/mms/en#499894965 ]
• World Health Organization (2025). ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, Gambling disorder. [Link: https://icd.who.int/browse/2025-01/mms/en#1041487064 ]
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