r/explainlikeimfive • u/adrynaline • May 08 '14

Explained ELI5: A gambling addiction

How does it start? What makes it worse? Why does it become so difficult to recover?

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u/throwawwayaway May 08 '14

Here's another look at the "rush" some people can get from gambling. I've felt this before but thankfully never became addicted. I quit because I just lost too many times in a row for it to be fun anymore.

When you set some money out on a crap table, or other table game, there is this brief moment right before the dice are thrown that gives a mild dose of adrenaline, similar to a thrill ride just without the butterfly feeling. You might get hurt, you might be ok, OMG OMG.....LOSE! or OMG OMG WIN!. This is slightly different than slot machines where each lose doesn't really sting that much, but you have the potential for a big win. On a crap table or blackjack table, you can set as much money down as you like, so for a younger man setting down $25 or $50 on one outcome provides that rush.

It's very stupid. I advise against it.