All gambling is about wanting an emotional lift

People with underlying or manifest depression are more likely to be attracted to gambling.

Folks can say, "I am doing this because I want to find a way to make money." But it is really about seeking a neurotransmitter boost. That is why even rich people can gamble away fortunes. Google Terrance Watanabe.

I have a friend who buys scratch tickets. She may not be conscious of the fact that she is looking for a neurotransmitter boost that day, but I think she is. What makes gambling so pernicious, is that there is no finality to it, as in "I am full, I ate enough." My friend could be down in the dumps one day, buy a scratcher, win $1,000, get a thrill, and then to turn to that activity again to boost her mood when down. Seeking the high is why, when gambling, folks lose, then loss chase. The brain is demanding those chemicals.

In casinos, you have the equivalent of opium dens, in my humble opinion. But gambling, for some reason, can be very addictive even to folks who are not vulnerable to substance addictions. I have literally never been drunk in my life, but gambling put its hooks in me.

Wishing everyone here 24 hours of no gambling.

Well said again Blue lake.

I can certainly relate to the idea that gambling provides us with an illusion of a 'boost' when feeling low, and then I can certainly relate to the feeling of distress after that initial boost has all but vanished.

Just into my 2nd week of recovery and finding it harder then the 1st week. The 1st week provided an instant boost with the relief being lifted when I finally made a commitment to stop. This week however the initial boost I felt from this relief is dwindling.

The financial pressure and family issues has things piling up and the addiction screams out "I can help". I'm not going to gamble and a I don't actually feel like I even want too, but I certainly know the addiction is making itself heard as it offers itself to me in the form of this 'emotional boost' you speak of

Nice thread BGL!

317HSF, you probably have came across the term "gambling fog" in this forum and in some gambling-related articles. It is a condition when our brain is still looking for that dopamine rush; consequently, our thirst to gamble is magnified at this period and we tend to make a lot of irrational thoughts. It is really critical to be really strong not to give in at the onset of your gambling recovery. Eventually (around >30 days for me), this "gambling fog" starts to fade, and the chemicals in the brain that influence our propensity to continue gambling will be back to their normal level. Stay strong!

stay strong everybody. it's not easy when the urges hit but it's very much worth the effort. I have loads of debt from my gambling daze but i'm slowly digging myself out of the hole. it's a great and rewarding feeling to be in. best to everyone.

Nice thread to remind us to be extra stronger against urges.i myself have this urge lately.

Spot on blue green lake

My life was perfectly positioned for this addiction to grab me

Lonely depressed and careless for my well being.

After 11 mo in recovery my fog lifted. I am not depressed. I am connected. I care about my life and I
Care about others.

Very very grateful

uskat wrote:Spot on blue green lake

My life was perfectly positioned for this addiction to grab me

Lonely depressed and careless for my well being.

After 11 mo in recovery my fog lifted. I am not depressed. I am connected. I care about my life and I
Care about others.

Very very grateful

USKat, I think that is the whole key, regaining the connection to life. When I was gambling, nothing really held my attention for long except gambling. I don't want to go down into that hole again. I have to do self-nuturing activities, and connect with others.

One of the best videos about addictions I have seen. Appropriate for this thread.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao8L-0nSYzg

getting_better wrote:One of the best videos about addictions I have seen. Appropriate for this thread.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao8L-0nSYzg

Thank you!! This video is truly awesome! Yes, the research shows that people who have adequate connections do not become addicts. There was a casino in my county for six years before I ever gambled in it. I started when I was feeling down and unconnected.

But I hope that gambling industry doesn't misuse this research and come along and say is "Oh you see! Our casinos do not make addicts. People who become addicted are already mentally seeking a fix."

It is apparently true that folks who become gambling addicts are looking for a connection. But the presence of casinos, scratch-offs, online betting, etc., makes the harm they can potentially get into way worse.