What is the nature of a gambling addiction?

A gambling addiction is no different than any other addiction. Sometimes people are too immature, narcissistic and selfish to deal with their problems. Or, sometimes people are just too psychologically damaged, and their psyches simply aren't strong enough to withstand it and cope with it, or they don't have enough support from friends and family. Or more than one (or all) of these things can be true.

Whatever the reason, the person feels bad. Addictive behaviors like drugs or gambling provide short-term pleasure. The long-term consequences are terrible, but sometimes when people feel really bad all the time, they will do anything to feel good for just a little while.

Be it gambling, drugs, or compulsive shopping, or compulsive exercise, or whatever else, it makes them feel great for a little while. Drugs get you high. Gamblers experience a high, too, when they're playing. Rather than chasing the dragon, they're chasing the next big win. They feel a rush of excitement and anticipation, each time they make a bet.

Compulsive shoppers experience the, "high of the buy." When they find something they like -- and especially if they can get a bargain on it -- they feel the same kind of excitement and anticipation that gamblers feel. They feel almost euphoric, like a person who is high on heroin or cocaine or speed would feel.

The only way to recover from an addiction is to learn to deny yourself the short-term pleasure, in favor of the long-term reward. Drugs may make you feel great right now, but in the long run, you're miserable. Denying yourself drugs may mean that you feel bad now, but that doesn't mean you won't feel much happier in the future.

Gambling addicts (and compulsive shoppers) throw away all their money and ruin both their careers and all their relationships with their friends, family and spouses, the same way that drug addicts do. Quitting and recovering from the addiction means that you have a steady job to make you feel worthwhile and useful, money to support yourself, and having your friends and family want to be around you again.