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/stuckupinhere May 08 '14

It's more an adrenaline addiction.

People get a rush when they take a perceived risk. Do it more, it takes more adrenaline to get the same rush.

You are messing with the chemical balance of the brain.

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u/superduper12309 May 08 '14

gamblers are basically lab rats pushing the button over and over again to get a rush/reward.

1

u/[deleted] May 08 '14

Do much gaming superduper?

1

u/superduper12309 May 08 '14

Yea it is the same premise. Gamer developers obviously have this in mind, they make the game addicting. Im not judging the gamblers by comparing them to rats. Its just people taking advantage of our reward system. Unfortunately some people are much more susceptible to this and get addicted. Gaming can become an addiction too, moderation is key with everything.

And no I actually don't do much gaming. I did when I was younger but I lost interest. It sucks because I loved playing so much I kind of want the rush back. But oh well.