That trans/zone place we all get to when gambling has been the subject of thousands of discussions and analyzed by just as many more. What is it. Why does it keep us so hooked why do we look on when the money slides down the drain and out of sight and still more important why is the whole procedure just so dam mechanical?
The term of cognitive regret is when your prefrontal cortex has been highjacked and the decisions that you do are flawed. We suddenly think it is ok to put thousands on the bookies /slots roulette etc because our mechanism of right and wrong is not there to warn us. I think the neutral drive is something to do about chasing a near miss. The fascination about almost winning has been proven by UK scientists and scans of the brain. That together with the highjacker and the fact that we get stressed in our hypnotized state does not help us snap out of it we seem to be hell-bent on driving through that hell-blazing fire instead because salvation lies on the other side of the chaos. As you can see there are no good solutions except never to drive down that road to start with but if anyone has good methods of snapping out of the madness state. Make sure you share it with the rest of us.
Best
C
Very interesting post ? thank you! I have read alot of on the neuroscience behind gambling addiction and completely relate to points your making. I have also watched many TED talks on addiction which I have found enlightening and fascinating. Maybe not all on Gambling but alcohol and drug addiction.. Johan Hari is amazing if anybody is interested.. His thing is that the answer to addiction is connection.. Many people I have listened to on the subject believe that addiction stems from trauma? The evidence supporting this is huge.. However what leads us there and what keeps us there obviously, well I believe becomes more about the proven scientific workings of the brain of which takes over and we literally have no control over!! So we stop just gambling to escape the pain, trauma, stress, loneliness etc... But are kept there because of the wiring of the brain?
But we do also know that with support, the desire and want to live a full filling life, without shame and guilt and vile self loathing we can win!! Never of course beat the machines.. NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN! BUT we can reclaim ourselves and choose to rewire our brains back to pre gambling existence.. It took everything I had to finally register with Gamstop. But after 7 years I did it 🙂 only 3 weeks ago mind, but i can honestly say that I feel clarity coming back with each day.. So yes when we are in the thick of it science has proven that we can't control it.. But digging so deep and making that desicion to walk away as unbelievably tough that it is!! The reward of getting your life back is bigger than any near reward you get when gambling... And I agree with the science - it is the bear rewards which brought the excitement!!
Anyway now I've waffled on!! Apologies for such long post! I really wish everybody on here the very best on success on their journey of recovery ?
Thank you for your interesting comments - now i have devided to stop (again) i will look into the science behind addiction. This morning i have downloaded gamban onto all my devices - had it on my phone a while - so now i am fully equipped. I have also been listening to a podcast - the after gambling podcast - made by a compulsive gambler and it is also enlightening. He talked about the glazed look on faces - when we are drawn into the world of gambling.
Thank you both for your posts
Well done on your decision Annie.
As I mentioned earlier you should look up reinforcement by Pavlov. He got dogs salivating for food just by repeatedly ringing a bell together with serving the dogs food. After reinforcing that behaviour he just needed to ring the bell and the dogs would drool regardless of food or no food. BF Skinner another scientist thought free will was an illusion as we all make decisions based on past decisions. He created operant conditioning which is the foundation of every gambling algorithm there is today.
It is paramount that you look at yourself a bit holistically when you recover. The psychiatrist will peal a lair of you at the time to deal with trauma (Yes a lot of addictions have some kind of underlying trauma behind it. Find out what yours could be so you are aware) or being introverted or whatever may have got you going, but you will find comfort in doing your self-analysis from a bit of a distance. Also this advice. Scientist has found the part of your brain that deals with abstaining. It is designed to handle about an hour of saying no then that muscle in your brain gets tired. Look instead to changing your daily routines. Tony Robbins calls it changing your state.
Have you ever tried a dopamine detox? Look it up on Google. It is about giving your brain 24 hours of quiet.
There are loads of things that can be done. We just need to get on with doing them.
Best
C
So interesting. I will take a look. Thank you!
P
Very interesting post ? thank you! I have read alot of on the neuroscience behind gambling addiction and completely relate to points your making. I have also watched many TED talks on addiction which I have found enlightening and fascinating. Maybe not all on Gambling but alcohol and drug addiction.. Johan Hari is amazing if anybody is interested.. His thing is that the answer to addiction is connection.. Many people I have listened to on the subject believe that addiction stems from trauma? The evidence supporting this is huge.. However what leads us there and what keeps us there obviously, well I believe becomes more about the proven scientific workings of the brain of which takes over and we literally have no control over!! So we stop just gambling to escape the pain, trauma, stress, loneliness etc... But are kept there because of the wiring of the brain?
But we do also know that with support, the desire and want to live a full filling life, without shame and guilt and vile self loathing we can win!! Never of course beat the machines.. NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN! BUT we can reclaim ourselves and choose to rewire our brains back to pre gambling existence.. It took everything I had to finally register with Gamstop. But after 7 years I did it 🙂 only 3 weeks ago mind, but i can honestly say that I feel clarity coming back with each day.. So yes when we are in the thick of it science has proven that we can't control it.. But digging so deep and making that desicion to walk away as unbelievably tough that it is!! The reward of getting your life back is bigger than any near reward you get when gambling... And I agree with the science - it is the bear rewards which brought the excitement!!
Anyway now I've waffled on!! Apologies for such long post! I really wish everybody on here the very best on success on their journey of recovery ?
You are a very strong and brave person. You were able to overcome your illness and admit your mistake. I admire you.
Thank you for your interesting comments - now i have devided to stop (again) i will look into the science behind addiction. This morning i have downloaded gamban onto all my devices - had it on my phone a while - so now i am fully equipped. I have also been listening to a podcast - the after gambling podcast - made by a compulsive gambler and it is also enlightening. He talked about the glazed look on faces - when we are drawn into the world of gambling.
I've been looking into this problem, too. But unfortunately I have come to the conclusion that the true cause of addiction has not yet been found.
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