They say “everything in moderation”, and like alcohol consumption, just because you gamble occasionally doesn’t mean you’re addicted to it. I remember my grandmother loved to gamble, but would only do so when she was in Vegas or Reno (her personal favorite, as it was a really short drive from her house compared to Vegas). This was obviously pre-computer age, so who knows, maybe if she had access to 24/7, 365 gambling, she’d become addicted.
I’ve always been interested in what makes people become addicted to things. Are they predisposed to it? Is it the behavior, repeated? I’m not sure, but clearly gambling can be very addictive. The BC Lottery Corporation actually has a voluntary self exclusion program where you can identify a problem in yourself, and then exclude yourself from gambling; meaning, you make it so you aren’t allowed to be in a gambling facility for a certain period of time.
Addictive Personality
I know plenty of people who have addictive personalities. All that means, is that they become addicted to things quite easily. I’m not one of those people, but my brother is. I am pretty sure my dad is (which is possibly why he refuses to try smoking, has never, ever done a drug, and won’t even buy a lotto ticket), but I know my mom doesn’t have an addictive personality.
I can do almost anything without getting addicted to it (well, many things I’ve never tried). I’ve purchased lottery tickets before, and then stopped because I didn’t get that rush and because I was far too lazy to stop on my way home from work to buy one.
I love me some wine but could take it or leave it. I even tried smoking a few times in high school and just didn’t see the appeal. My Aunt is Finnish and she spends a lot of time online, gambling, and she doesn’t have an addictive personality either. She spends hours playing online poker and on Casino Lehti (a Finnish casino news site), but lots of the time she plays for free and she doesn’t have to rush home and gamble.
Maybe it’s just hereditary as to whether or not you have an addictive personality?
Gender
There have been studies that show that men are more predisposed to becoming addicted to things, including gambling. I’m not sure why that is, but this is particularly the truth if the men watched his father (specifically the male figure in his life) become addicted to something.
This is true for alcohol addiction, it’s possible that it’s also true for gambling addiction. However, since most of the gambling addicted population are older adults (seniors specifically) I don’t know that this has anything to do with it.
Overuse
I think this is probably the issue, together with having an addictive personality, when it comes to gambling (or any) addiction. People start doing something and they enjoy it, or they have some success, and they chase it again and again.
The more you do something, the more addictive it can be for some people, which is why they say “everything in moderation”.
I think it’s fine to gamble and drink in moderation. It’s supposed to be an activity, it’s supposed to be fun. But if you’re overdoing it, you’re more likely to become addicted.
If you are going to use casinos, just make sure you do so responsibly!
Gambling, or the thought of doing so, has never appealed to me. I’ve worked hard for my money and throwing it away like that (because the overall odds of losing are much greater) is not something I’m compelled to do. In my life, I’ve only played the penny or nickel slots once or twice just to see what it’s like. That’s it – never even purchased a lotto ticket.
I’m with you. I don’t know what I would if the money I’ve worked hard for for so many years vanished in an instant.
Daisy! I hate casinos, but love craft beer. I have a few on Saturday night, but that is all. If I upped to to even 2 nights a week, I could see things going down hill and getting very expensive. Getting addicted to the right things has been key for me: guitar and fitness, and a great marriage.
Have a triple stacker Wednesday!!!
The odd times I’ve gone to casinos, I’ve only stuck to the slot machines and have won less than $10. The important thing is to set a limit and stick to it while you’re there.
The only other gambling I do is participate in the work group lottery.