Is Gambling The Worst Form Of Addiction??

Hi all,

Interesting read. I personally think Gambling is one of the worst addictions, I'd only stop gambling when i didn't have access to any funds, I was a complete binge gambler.

A few people commented earlier on the individual's responsibility saying they made the decision to gamble, I disagree with that to a certain extent, hear me out....

I went through the "Blame" phase like everyone else, I've experienced a horrid roller coaster of gambling over the last 20 years or so where I've lost people, money, jobs and finished with me going bankrupt. I'm now gamble free for over a year and very clear headed. I've been through all the emotions but, in my case, I needed to know why I was like I was before I could move on. After 8 months in the Priory I found this.

For me, the addiction started when I was 7, my whole life revolved around fruit machines, fairs and amusements arcades, sitting outside chip shops waiting for them to open so I could sit next to my loyal friend with flashing lights. Here's where I lay the blame on someone's else's door, at 7 yrs old is it my responsibility to know what I should be doing?

The minimal protection for kids is a joke, we're the only country in Europe that allows 5p and 2p slot machines for children. So when a gambling addiction is set at such a young age it's a bl**dy hard mould to break. It was inevitable I'd end up where I did. But my knowing that has made all the difference, I've learned to respect myself and actual like myself again.

In some kind of weird way I'm happy it's happened, I have the answers now and I'm confident I'll never gamble again.

But for me the difference is not saying "I'm like this because of my upbringing" and carrying on doing the same thing. It's knowing why I was like that, really finding about myself and having the determination to change it. Unfortunately, we're yet to experience the full force of gambling in the new generation, it'll take a few more years to see the destruction. That's the sad part.

Keep strong everyone,

Mickey

I wouldn’t say that addictions can be rated on a scale however I think that gambling seems to be the addiction with the least help. It horrifies me at how accessible gambling can be - whether it’s on the High Street or though Smartphones. Is it going to take a surge of mental illnesses before the government even consider doing something? Because it shouldn’t take this for them to realise!!!

im not sure if gambling is the worst form of addiction but its without shadow of a doubt in my mind the most destructive to live through

over the last decade i think ive lost around 50 or 60 grands worth of income and savings at my worst i was probably losing 5 - 600 a week in casinos

if i was doing between 5 or 600 quids worth of drink and drugs per week i would likely be dead by now instead i am left shouldered with debt and untold amounts of pyshcolgocial damage to try and repair

again im 99% certain if i was doing those levels of drinks and drugs i either would be dead or someone would of chucked me in jail / rehab by now

i also think its slightly easier for the rest of society to understand or relate to an alcohol or drug addiction

you would be very hard pressed to find someone that doesnt gamble able to understand the addiction to most it simply doesnt make sense

most of us on this forum are at the stage where we will probably have to shoulder the addiction for the rest of our lives in one way or another

They all are destructive in there own way, this because I’m living it is the worst in my eyes

Its not the worst no but it has one of the biggest impacts in our society that is built around money.