Addiction is 100% your choice:

[rahmad2nd]

~snip~
Can you comfortably tell yourself that you have never been addicted to gambling and that you can never be addicted to gambling because of how you go about it?

Theoretically, we can say it simply and easily. but at the same time, someone out there may need help to get out of their excessive habits. we could say, addictive disorder. If I had to speak honestly, perhaps up to now I could be said to be a gambling addict. yeah, I'm more comfortable saying that than I am saying I'm not an addict. The reason is, until now I am still involved in betting or gambling. although with experience, there are many new understandings and changes to the ideology of gambling. a simple example, I used to think gambling was a fast way to get money. As you get older and more experienced, gambling is quite complicated but fun. not just knowing how to get wins and profits. but also think about other aspects, for example the risks we will face. You could say I'm still a gambler, although I often say that I limit every entertainment of this type of gambling. However, there are times when I can get lost due to many factors. That doesn't mean I don't have self-control, but staying consistent with self-control is not as easy as we say. Moreover, we have to make it a habit to be disciplined every time we gamble. however, it is the real challenge for gamblers. as you said in this thread, sometimes someone has no boundaries regarding gambling, they will look for ways to earn money so they can vent their desire to gamble. But actually I agree with what you said, that addiction is purely our choice. it's just, it's not as easy as we say in this thread. To implement it, it requires a broad understanding and the importance of knowing what gambling is for ourselves.

[Accardo]

No one wants to get addicted in the first place, however, our actions and behavior as we gamble either pushes us towards or away from the risk of addiction. So I guess it is partially our choice given that we are aware of its risk but some people are still embracing it by means of betting big amounts continuously and allowing themselves to be emotionally affected by betting outcome. Key to this is self discipline however, not all people have the initiative to set limits or to stop when they need to, as they gamble. Greed and frustrations are the emotions you should be avoiding if you don't want to be one of the cases of the mentioned condition.

Gamblers have lifted addiction to a prime icon, by becoming elite candidates for compulsive gambling. Addiction is a behavior and all behavior are choices says Jeff Schalar, author of addiction is a choice. Technically, players also need to do away with the thought that addiction originates from anything else other than themselves. Presumably, similar idea holds for the reason why players think less of the control they have over compulsive gambling habit. Thereby, allowing their emotions to be toiled with different unacceptable ways of thinking which may lead to addiction. Such as going for monetary fulfilments.

Sad reality but that's jusy how some people value money or use it. The bigger the drive to get rich, the more they would be holding to their bets and luck. Indirectly but to some people that's the only way for them to climb the social strata 'coz in some countries, wages are so low, which I think another factor to consider in some countries.

I've gone through multiple journals on responsible gambling methods and how responsible players go about their daily gambling habits, and still don't find effective techniques stated by those writers which can be equivalent to mind control. Though, almost impossible to achieve by any player, mind control actually effects all the available prevailing techniques attached to escaping compulsive gambling. One journal stated that responsible players tend to gamble with a specific bank account designated for only gambling, if a player can't control his mind, wouldn't he rush to his second account after exhausting what's on the gambling account. Their plans of attaining financial freedom, always, bites the dust, because gambling wasn't created or designed to help players skip over the normal acceptable means of reaching financial liberation.

[coin-investor]

After reading lots of stories on the effects of being an addicted gambler, I feel it's 100% possible to tell myself that I can never be addicted to gambling and won't ever get addicted.

You can't tell that to yourself until you try it and face all the challenges of gambling. I had a friend who said that, but when he bet for the first time and won, he became addicted because he actually believed that he could make a living in gambling; beginner's luck can sometimes become a curse because it deceives you on what gambling actually is.

If for instance, I decide that I'm only going to gamble once a week and that at each time I will only gamble with an amount like $20 based on my current financial strength, would I ever become addicted to gambling?  Isn't it because you don't have any plan in place and just gamble as your spirit leads that makes you become careless with your gambling and become addicted to the process? Just want to ask this question;

It's not the amount that will make you addicted or control addiction, it's your perception and experience that will turn you addicted to gambling; people become addicted because they find the pleasure and excitement addictive; they cannot find that pleasure in the things they do to enjoy, so gambling become the substitute.

[lienfaye]

Almost 90% of the people who have a thing against gambling do so because they feel that gambling is addictive. But come to think of it, isn't addiction a choice?

If you let yourself became addicted, it's your fault. Because you're the one controlling yourself and has an available option to gamble excessively or within the limit. That being said, IMO it's a choice. Because every gamblers can become addicted, however not all are playing with the same mindset.

Thus, gambling is not to blame if many gamblers are addicted. Gambling is addictive but if you don't let yourself to became one, then you can never be an addicted gambler. Because it's about discipline and self-control. Unfortunately, many gamblers are not able to do so.

[Yamifoud]

Can you comfortably tell yourself that you have never been addicted to gambling and that you can never be addicted to gambling because of how you go about it?

I know we never want to fall into addiction but because of our greed and the chase of winning, never realize that we are already there. 
If we keep in mind that being a responsible gambler at the start, this addiction is impossible but sadly, most of us can't manage to control our emotions leading to such a thing. Many gamblers tend to regret and try hard to escape. Unfortunately, only a few succeeded while most still face the consequences and live like that.

[sunsilk]

You can gamble with weekly or monthly allotted gambling money but when it crosses its limit it must be classified as addiction.

There can be some points that you can be said and classified as addicted already. But if it happens that you happen to cross your limit for some times, it's not actually a good sign and you're going there.

Well, it depends with that classification but very close to being one.

Constant gambling can lead you to addiction when you keep losing and your funds are replenished. I think addiction can't be a choice because you can't risk your family's future for your choice. You can implement your choice only when it is positive in itself and will try to keep the family better.

For an individual who knows the negative impact of it on someone's life, it's not a choice. But you have no control over others activity and it is a choice, to be honest for someone to get addicted.

The impulse of it is just uncontrollable.

[Julien_Olynpic]

I would not say that addiction is a personal choice of the player. This is not entirely true. It is a personal choice to decide to gamble, but people do not gamble to become addicted. It's like considering gangrene to lead to amputation of a limb - it's a personal choice. People do not know all the consequences of their actions. This is why having a good time sometimes turns into an addiction. There are many reasons for this. A person may be stressed at work. And when gambling, he immerses himself in a magical world of wonders and good opportunities.

[stadus]

isn't addiction a choice?

No one would want to be addicted in gambling because it doesn't give the entertainment we are hoping. Addiction is bad, it coudl ruin lives, so we don't like that. Our choice is if we don't become responsible in gambling, since gambling is risky, everyone should be responsible and that they'll be able to manage themselves not to gamble beyond their limits.

it's not the entertainment that is ruining the gambler's life but it's addiction to gamble more than he can afford to lose. Honestly, I could gamble all day, have fun but as long as I am comfortable with the amount I'm risking, I should be good.

[DaNNy001]

I would not say that addiction is a personal choice of the player. This is not entirely true. It is a personal choice to decide to gamble, but people do not gamble to become addicted. It's like considering gangrene to lead to amputation of a limb - it's a personal choice. People do not know all the consequences of their actions. This is why having a good time sometimes turns into an addiction. There are many reasons for this. A person may be stressed at work. And when gambling, he immerses himself in a magical world of wonders and good opportunities.

Hmm I see your point and it's a valid one too well thats from my perspective accessing your words . What you said can be caught across so many fields and even outside gamble and something similar happen to me yesterday although it would not lead me to becoming an addict or any of sort but I felt the pain that came with the action I took after my wife made me angry and decided to cool with gambling and everything turned upside down and still lots of dollar added to the anger I was already having.

[nara1892]

I would not say that addiction is a personal choice of the player. This is not entirely true. It is a personal choice to decide to gamble, but people do not gamble to become addicted. It's like considering gangrene to lead to amputation of a limb - it's a personal choice. People do not know all the consequences of their actions. This is why having a good time sometimes turns into an addiction. There are many reasons for this. A person may be stressed at work. And when gambling, he immerses himself in a magical world of wonders and good opportunities.

Exactly, I also agree with you that addiction is not a choice, because in my opinion, logically, no one would ever want to experience addiction in gambling or in whatever they do in their life because of the bad effects that can destroy all aspects of life. life, but on the other hand we can see that addiction really occurs, or does that mean there are people who experience addiction, is it possible to say that from the start they chose to be addicted? I don't think that's the scenario.

On the other hand, as you said, not everyone knows from the start about the consequences of whatever activity they do, and I think that's natural because not everyone always uses their rational mindset at the right time which in the end they choose the wrong thing they should. not made as an option, and this also confirms or could be one of the reasons why gambling addiction can occur without the gambler realizing it.

[Beparanf]

If for instance, I decide that I'm only going to gamble once a week and that at each time I will only gamble with an amount like $20 based on my current financial strength, would I ever become addicted to gambling?  Isn't it because you don't have any plan in place and just gamble as your spirit leads that makes you become careless with your gambling and become addicted to the process? Just want to ask this question;

Can you comfortably tell yourself that you have never been addicted to gambling and that you can never be addicted to gambling because of how you go about it?

Many addicted gambler say the same thing if you will read all their confession after overcoming addiction. They start slow but later on got addicted when they are too soaked on gambling.

You are only saying this probably because you don’t gamble personally but addiction can occur to anyone that is frequently gambling. It’s easy to say all this flawless plan and be confident that you will not be addicted if you are not actually gambling. This is the reason that not doing gambling is the best way to fight addiction.

[salad daging]

People who are addicted to gambling they have a goal in gambling so what they often do is the benefits they see and think that winning is easier faster, even though we know it's the wrong way.
They lose then it will pursue it in order to recover the money lost in gambling, so addiction is indeed a choice but without them realizing with discipline, this will lead to addiction.

If you set a bankroll every week to gamble then it is not an addiction you will not force to play if there is no money especially there is a limit that has been set then we can still stop playing at any time.
Many people are addicted to gambling because it is their choice to be profitable, so gambling should be considered a pleasure so this does not lead to addiction.

[livingfree]

It does becomes a choice when you're still in the right mind of yours. But when you're already hooked, do you think that you'll still be able to control yourself from such? I don't think so. That's why it is no longer a choice for those that have already been addicted, they have no choice and they can't help themselves anymore.

That's why one should allow themselves get addict so they won't get to a point where it's uncontrollable a point where they have no choice and can't help themselves like you stated, I think the OP is right to say it's a choice cause it's every gamblers decisions to avoid those things that would get them addicted at the first place but then they refused to gamble responsibly and allowed it get to a point where it becomes uncontrollable, one thing most gamblers that got addicted lack is self-control and discipline cause those are the traits that could help one monitor their gambling habits and also avoid getting addicted, I'm sure that even most casinos indicate that gamblers should gamble responsibly so why should any gambler decide to go against that or do they know more that the owners of the business?

We are on our own when we decide. We can't put the blame to the casinos when we become addicted because they didn't forced us to gamble.

When someone is trying to find fault from the others, that's one great sign that person is totally addicted and looking to put the pressure onto others but not willing to admit his own fault.

Most addicted gamblers are like that and undenying because they don't want others to see them as is and that's the hard knockout for them to accept that reality.

[Dewi Aries]

It does becomes a choice when you're still in the right mind of yours. But when you're already hooked, do you think that you'll still be able to control yourself from such? I don't think so. That's why it is no longer a choice for those that have already been addicted, they have no choice and they can't help themselves anymore.

That's why one should allow themselves get addict so they won't get to a point where it's uncontrollable a point where they have no choice and can't help themselves like you stated, I think the OP is right to say it's a choice cause it's every gamblers decisions to avoid those things that would get them addicted at the first place but then they refused to gamble responsibly and allowed it get to a point where it becomes uncontrollable, one thing most gamblers that got addicted lack is self-control and discipline cause those are the traits that could help one monitor their gambling habits and also avoid getting addicted, I'm sure that even most casinos indicate that gamblers should gamble responsibly so why should any gambler decide to go against that or do they know more that the owners of the business?

We are on our own when we decide. We can't put the blame to the casinos when we become addicted because they didn't forced us to gamble.

When someone is trying to find fault from the others, that's one great sign that person is totally addicted and looking to put the pressure onto others but not willing to admit his own fault.

Most addicted gamblers are like that and undenying because they don't want others to see them as is and that's the hard knockout for them to accept that reality.

Of course, the casino should not be the party to be blamed for any downturn experienced by gamblers, because however, as you said above, there is absolutely no coercion or even threat from the casino to make someone gamble, meaning it all depends on the gambler's own wishes and desires.

A gambler who tries to find fault with others? yes it is possible especially when they get some criticism from other people regardless of people who are also involved in gambling or not, it is their way of diverting attention, or meaning it is an action that can indirectly make them safe of several accusations related to facts said by other people regarding him.

Considering that gambling has a bad stigma in most societies, yes, of course it is very possible for a gambler to hide their addiction to gambling from other people so that they can escape various criticism.

[Nheer]

Almost 90% of the people who have a thing against gambling do so because they feel that gambling is addictive. But come to think of it, isn't addiction a choice? After reading lots of stories on the effects of being an addicted gambler, I feel it's 100% possible to tell myself that I can never be addicted to gambling and won't ever get addicted.

Those who think gambling is addictive and have a thing against gambling because of the addiction probably have an experience with addiction and knows the effects of addiction on a person and it’s only right for them to avoid anything avoid anything that may lead to addiction because they lack self control and to some extent i don’t hold anything against these people.

Addiction can be a choice but to some people they can’t do anything to prevent it so it’s not by choice they want to become a gambling addict. Most gambling addiction are caused by lack of awareness or self discipline, most people who start gambling without having any knowledge about it and how it can lead to addiction if not well planned.

[summonerrk]

Almost 90% of the people who have a thing against gambling do so because they feel that gambling is addictive. But come to think of it, isn't addiction a choice? After reading lots of stories on the effects of being an addicted gambler, I feel it's 100% possible to tell myself that I can never be addicted to gambling and won't ever get addicted.

If for instance, I decide that I'm only going to gamble once a week and that at each time I will only gamble with an amount like $20 based on my current financial strength, would I ever become addicted to gambling?  Isn't it because you don't have any plan in place and just gamble as your spirit leads that makes you become careless with your gambling and become addicted to the process? Just want to ask this question;

Can you comfortably tell yourself that you have never been addicted to gambling and that you can never be addicted to gambling because of how you go about it?

All these gambling addicts also never thought that gambling would take over their life views so much, but nevertheless it happened. I don’t think that addiction is only for those who were indifferent or who wanted addiction themselves.  
This is a complex phenomenon that consists of many factors: life views, position in society, superstitions, etc. Therefore, everything is not as simple as it seems.

In any case, before sitting down at a casino table, you need to know about the phenomenon of gambling addiction. There needs to be warnings about the consequences.

[TelolettOm]

If for instance, I decide that I'm only going to gamble once a week and that at each time I will only gamble with an amount like $20 based on my current financial strength, would I ever become addicted to gambling?

If you only gamble once every week and you only spend small amount of money, I think it is not a part of addiction. Addiction is the condition that people can't control himself to keep gambling although they have no enough money anymore. And they become more often to gamble, they don't care whether it is the right time to gamble or not. People who still have a good self-control in gambling, will never be categorized as addicts. Moreover, if they still gamble in a proper way.

[Marykeller]

Everything we do in life is our choice and responsibility for the action taken, so it's the addiction to whatever is a choice for one to decide to entangle themselves with it or not.

In the case of addiction to gambling, no one can explain how they got addicted to it. Someone can start with a normal way of betting with a small amount, but as time goes on, they find themselves betting to make profits or pursuing their gambling losses.

Addiction to whatever is pretty hard to stop. It's always like a push to make one feel or behave like they can't do away with them. We are all in one way or the other addicted to something we see normal in doing. I, myself, am dealing with phone addictions. You also can be dealing with an addiction that has gotten held of you badly

[Poker Player]

If for instance, I decide that I'm only going to gamble once a week and that at each time I will only gamble with an amount like $20 based on my current financial strength, would I ever become addicted to gambling?

If you only gamble once every week and you only spend small amount of money, I think it is not a part of addiction. Addiction is the condition that people can't control himself to keep gambling although they have no enough money anymore.

The OP looks like he has never gambled in his life. He brings this up as if it were a completely rational thing to do. If not falling into addictions was as easy as making a rational prior plan and following it no one would be addicted. To anything. But as you point out, the problem is that regardless of the previous plans, there are people who skip them, who do not control themselves, and that is where the disaster begins.

[Dr.Bitcoin_Strange]

Yes, I have brought up such arguments before in my comments on topics that were related to gambling addiction.

Gambling addiction is not an accident; it's an action of a gambler born in their subconscious and conscious mind.

Gambling addiction has some notable symptoms. When a gambler starts to exhibit such symptoms, the person is supposed to be aware that they are gradually becoming addicted to gambling. During gambling, if the adrenaline flows, the person might make some quick decisions, leading them to gamble recklessly. The action is born in the subconscious, but sometimes the gambler will realize that they have made a mistake or carried out some actions that they were not supposed to. That's when the conscious mind is now aware of what happened. 

But when all that information is processed in the mind of the gambler, he or she will still ignore all the warnings and go ahead and gamble. They call it trying luck. It's just my logic. Addiction is a choice.