Can't gambling addiction also be positive?

[Dewi Aries]

Addiction cannot become a positive thing because the connotation of it comes with a negative effect on the person who has it.

Well, otherwise if someone will tell you that you're addicted to doing good things then that's a different matter. But speaking in general about it, there's no way that it can be a good or positive matter.

We all know that there are negative effects of it to the person who becomes addicted and it's a bad thing whether we like to believe that there's some positive on it because it will still rotate to the being as is.

That's right, this means that addiction can have a positive impact depending on the context of what is being discussed, in the sense that if gambling is the object then I think of course there is nothing positive in the addiction situation because after all gambling is an activity that involves money and risk.

But if the object of discussion is other things that fall into the category of good and useful activities without any risk then of course that is another thing that definitely has no risk or significant impact from an addiction situation. But yes overall we all know that addiction is a bad situation, but it also depends on what activity is being talked about.

The point is that if the object of discussion is addiction to gambling activities then of course I think everyone will agree that there is nothing positive that a person can get in the long term.

[Rockstarguy]

Yes hobbies are like good addiction because the person will like the hobby and like to do it frequently. But it is called hobby because such thing will help his life and health. Something like playing football, going for finishing and the likes. But if that thing is harming the person, it would be seen as addiction. If someone is noticing that he is gambling in a way that it is demanding too much time from him, the person will only notice losses. The more the person is gambling and betting, the more the losses. The people that win from gambling and betting are not doing it frequently and they are not addicted to it.

You are very correct.  Whatever that can cause and to make someone not to be fine can never be consider to be hobby.  Hobbies derive joy that people don't regret spending time with their hobbies. I won't advice anyone to take gambling as hobby because gambling is a about lose and win, you can never predict what will be the outcome the game. Taking gambling to be an hobby can make one end up being addicted to gambling. Gambling can be fun to some people but won't be really good if people should take gambling to be hobby just because the outcome of gambling can't be predicted, not even a chance of 50/50.

[serjent05]

Yes hobbies are like good addiction because the person will like the hobby and like to do it frequently. But it is called hobby because such thing will help his life and health. Something like playing football, going for finishing and the likes. But if that thing is harming the person, it would be seen as addiction. If someone is noticing that he is gambling in a way that it is demanding too much time from him, the person will only notice losses. The more the person is gambling and betting, the more the losses. The people that win from gambling and betting are not doing it frequently and they are not addicted to it.

I think hobbies and addiction are two different things.  Not because a person does things regularly as a hobby means he is addicted to it. If one finds exercise to be a good habit and does it regularly does not mean he is addicted to exercise.  In a hobby, a person has full control over his activity and be able to modify it and can stop anytime he wanted.  It does not affect his life negatively while addiction on the other hand is the opposite.  The person's activity is imbalanced and can't control the urge to do things repeatedly.  That said, the hobby does not hinder any daily activity and fits perfectly according to the person's daily routine while addiction takes priority over other things making it affect the daily schedule negatively, mostly all tasks is undone since the person is fully occupied by his addiction.

That said, I never considered that there is such a good addiction, because eventually, the addiction will bring a negative impact to the person's life if not its surroundings.

[AmoreJaz]

My view was a long epistle that I wouldn't want to bug anyone with even as my external sources confirmed hobby as a good addiction. Regardless, I don't want to limit this to my understanding, I want you guys to share your opinions as well.

At the long run the disadvantage of being addicted to gambling will always be greater than any benefits that a user might derive from it.

Just like any other gambling, the more you engage in it the more it destroys you, the more you do drug and gain pleasure from it the more it destroys your systems and the more you gamble the more and satisfy your desires the more you lose money and the more you’ll keep increasing your individual stakes until it comes to the point where they’ll no longer be able to afford to continue gambling.

Since it’s more disastrous I don’t think it’s worth considering the positive aspect of it.

I also couldn't find a very good reason as a long-term impact of gambling addiction. Do remember, too much abuse of anything always end up badly. And so with any other addiction. And just like what you mentioned, the positive benefits can be easily overpowered by its bad effects in the long run.

But for the sake of discussion here. There are some known unintended and short-lived positive influence of gambling addiction : (1) social connection - as gamblers can engage with others to fulfil the feeling of belongingness, (2) emotional release - which can be a temporary escape from their stressful life, (3) being creative - as they look for strategies how to "beat" the house   or (4) boosting someone else's confidence especially if he is on the winning side. Like I said, these benefits can be temporary only.

[TelolettOm]

If it has become a gambling addiction, I think it will be quite difficult to see the negative side. because, however, gambling addiction has become part of the disease and disorder. If he can still control and manage gambling very well, with full awareness and is able to know when to stop and when to start, then it is not a gambling addiction, it is just possible that his profession as a gambler is so profitable that he cannot abandon gambling activities.

However, if you have gambling addiction, from the name alone, "addict" is definitely related to emotional stress, financial worries, and other serious issues.

As quoted here:

"When you think of the effects of gambling, certain things spring to mind. Like financial worries, relationship difficulties and other serious issues.

Problem gambling is when betting starts to create trouble in your life, such as debt, relationship problems, job loss, stress or depression, or it gets in the way of other responsibilities in your life.

 ‘addiction’ is a clinical term

Source: Gambling addiction

and if we ask, what are the positive things about gambling addiction?
for addicted gamblers and families or other people around: No.

For the odds, yes the more addicted gamblers there are, the more income there is for the odds, the casinos.

[lembang]

As long as you can keep it under control, I think it can be okay; addiction to gambling isn’t always as bad as people say. However, it’s important to remember that the line between fun and dependency is thin. When that line is crossed, what started as just entertainment can turn into a serious problem. Managing your feelings and motivations behind gambling is crucial. If you can focus your energy and only play at certain times, it might be something enjoyable. But when your emotions start to take over and your decisions are influenced by the urge to keep playing, that’s a sign you need to take a step back and reflect on what's really going on. In the gambling world, winners are often those who can hold back, while losers usually get swept up in their emotions and lose control. So, learning to regulate yourself and know when to say enough is key to preventing addiction from being harmful. That way, you can enjoy the game without falling into traps that could ruin your life.

[joniboini]

As long as you can keep it under control, I think it can be okay; addiction to gambling isn’t always as bad as people say. However, it’s important to remember that the line between fun and dependency is thin.

By definition, isn't addiction assume somebody has a lack of control over their behaviour? I think having an addiction and perfect control over your behaviour is contradictory. I've never heard someone says those things are possible. Maybe you mean something along the line of "interest", "hobby", etc? I dunno, it's like saying you're addicted to drugs but you can control when you take it without any problem at all.

[bakasabo]

Why do people consider an addicted gambler as a person who constantly only lose money or as something negative? A person can earn thousand and ten thousands per month, but spend few tens of dollars per week on gambling on regular basis. Is this person addicted - yes, but he isnt spending all his entire money on gambling. Why in this case addiction is considered as positive? Honestly speaking I dont know, but at least such person is busy gambling, instead of doing something bad.

You do not understand this. If you are addicted, you spend more time gambling. See what I posted recently about spending more time gambling:

If gambling is taking much of your time like gambling at workplace and also gambling when you suppose to be sleeping, making your sleep shorter than it should be and making your health not to be as it should be and  making you have headache and body pains. If you are making money from gambling but this is happening to you, that is still gambling addiction. But if someone spend more time in gambling like this, it is certain that the person is losing money.

If you gamble and win but not spending more time, the person is not addicted. You can place just one or two bets weekly. That is not addiction.

People that are addicted spend more time gambling and they are prone to losses.

The other addiction is when you are losing. Even if you spend less time but losing huge amount of money. That means you do not have self-control but losing to gambling.

You may not have self-control over your time. Also you may not have self-control over your money. Both are gambling addictions.

Then I have a different vision of what addiction is. For me addictions is a situation when you cant stop doing and thinking about something. Spending a lot of time on something I dont consider as addiction (what about hobby then?). If I daily watch Instagram for example, even do it several times a day, and I have different length sessions. You would call it as addiction then?

Now back to positive aspect of gambling addiction. Just random thoughts. It can be a time killer for lonely and retired people if they dont gamble with huge amounts. They can even play in demo mode. As gambling will be another way of entertainment, despite doing crosswords all the free time.

[stompix]

Is that not a positive addiction?

There is no such thing as positive addiction, people have tried investing in new terms but they all fell short.
An "addiction" is a disorder, when you have fun gambling and you play when you want to have fun, that's not an addiction, addiction is when you play just for the sake of playing, with an irrational behavior when not.

I relied on the grounds that if some gamblers could regularly earn in sports betting, while others derive fun and take gambling as their hobby, are they not deriving a positive goal there? Is that not a positive addiction?

Can they quit at any time when they stop making money and having fun?
Then they are not addicted!

Then I have a different vision of what addiction is. For me addictions is a situation when you can stop doing and thinking about something.

No, that's exactly the opposite of being addicted!

[Charles-Tim]

Then I have a different vision of what addiction is. For me addictions is a situation when you can stop doing and thinking about something. Spending a lot of time on something I dont consider as addiction (what about hobby then?). If I daily watch Instagram for example, even do it several times a day, and I have different length sessions. You would call it as addiction then?

Addiction is when that thing is not benefiting your health because you are doing it too much. Like gambling excessively in a way you are losing money and not having good health because if it, or trading which can cause the same thing, or smoking too much, or using too much drug frequently in excessive dose, and without any health reason etc.

[crwth]

in what way could it be positive? I think you have a wrong understanding and view of the term “addiction” 

I believe you are just trying to find a positive thing to look at in disease that is caused by continuous gambling and finding ways to have money then gambling again. I think you shouldn’t tolerate gambling addiction As positive or anything Close to it being ok.

I hope you are not comparing it to obsession in terms of build something because I know there are some obsessions like the best in a certain industry and it benefits the person positively.

[bakasabo]

Then I have a different vision of what addiction is. For me addictions is a situation when you can stop doing and thinking about something. Spending a lot of time on something I dont consider as addiction (what about hobby then?). If I daily watch Instagram for example, even do it several times a day, and I have different length sessions. You would call it as addiction then?

Addiction is when that thing is not benefiting your health because you are doing it too much. Like gambling excessively in a way you are losing money and not having good health because if it, or trading which can cause the same thing, or smoking too much, or using too much drug frequently in excessive dose, and without any health reason etc.

I can gamble with 0.00000001 BTC bet and stretch $1 deposit for months. Loosing several dollars per month does not look like "loosing money" in general for me. The health issues I would get would be bad eyesight, maybe depression from being antisocial.

I think your "total time logged" is huge, which might make me say that you are forum addicted. However, I think you have got something positive from it, and that addiction does not cause you much health problem.

[Woodie]

Addiction is bad, I am not gonna backup any kind of addiction does something good even if someone is addicted to studying. The literal meaning of addiction is one can't live without doing that activity so if someone can't live without gambling on daily basis then he needs a rehab.

Wouldn't have said it better!

How would any one glorify gambling addiction to be positive when this in its literal sense means someone has a problem that needs to be addressed for a change of mindset...
For anybody that sees gambling addiction to be positive, they need to know that this means a person has no self-control on their gambling habits such that their social relations with other people is negatively affected, finances too could be affected to the point of getting into unbearable debt etcetera!!

Let's call a spade a spade! Gambling addiction is more like an illness and we shouldn't find light in it period!

[LFC_Bitcoin]

addiction

when you have a strong physical or psychological need or urge to do something or use something. It is a dependence on a substance or activity even if you know that it causes you harm. It can impact your daily life.

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/what-is-addiction

No addiction can be positive, look at the definition of the very word I found online above. Any addiction is unhealthy and can negatively impact your life so no, I don’t think gambling addiction can ever be positive. Always practise responsible gambling. Don’t gamble with a higher stake than you can afford to lose.

[traderethereum]

It is not easy to earn in sports betting regularly because this is gambling which we don't know what is the result. We can win but not for many times and even if we can wins, that means we have our luck comes to us but we will not always gets our luck comes when we gambling.
If someone wants to make gambling as a positive, he must control himself with many things so gambling will not have a chance to tempts him to use more money. Maybe not many people can do that because people can gets deeper in gambling easily and will forgets to controls themselves.
You can say that gambling can be a positive depends on how people do that. But we knows that will not easy as people can change anytime and will use gambling too often which can makes them lose too much money.

[HelliumZ]

You can never say that gambling addiction is all bad because there are some addictions that are terribly harmful to people but gambling is harmful to people but has some beneficial aspects. A gambling addict finds himself in gambling because he gets involved in gambling. However, gambling addicts have a negative impact on society, but gambling is a necessity for a person to live comfortably.  A lonely man finds himself a companion through gambling. Again, an intoxicated person, especially a drug addict, can control himself through gambling.  But every addiction has some good side and bad side, but the bad side of gambling is seen bigger than the good side in the society.

[Shinpako09]

I respect your POV, but any kind of addiction is always bad. Remember, excess is always harmful, even with exercise. Okay, let's say a person engages in it out of boredom, to relieve stress, or for fun. But what if it continues for months or even a year, resulting in continuous losses, which is highly possible in gambling. That can eventually lead to a person wanting to win back their losses, creating a cycle. One must have a very strong will to avoid falling into that state.

[Wapfika]

I respect your POV, but any kind of addiction is always bad. Remember, excess is always harmful, even with exercise. Okay, let's say a person engages in it out of boredom, to relieve stress, or for fun. But what if it continues for months or even a year, resulting in continuous losses, which is highly possible in gambling. That can eventually lead to a person wanting to win back their losses, creating a cycle. One must have a very strong will to avoid falling into that state.

This is the most possible outcome since gambling has an house edge that will give the casino an advantage for long term players specifically for gamblers with addiction. It’s impossible to achieved high winning percentage in gambling long term because there’s a house edge in every bet that taking effect slowly and accumulate in the long run.

I’m also doubtful that there’s a positive addiction in gambling considering that the EV on all games is always negative, combine it with greediness and the result is a disaster.

[Ricardo11]

Gambling has both good and bad sides. But being addicted to gambling is not good at all. This leads a gambler to do more harm than good, because that is the nature of gambling. Those who are successful gamblers these days, you will see that they are not much addicted to gambling, they gamble occasionally. Gambling will not bring you profit every time, loss in gambling is guaranteed. People who become addicted to gambling gamble every time with the hope of winning, but they mostly end up losing, thus falling into a loss they once fall in front of a situation from which they can't get out easily. So I think gambling addiction has the highest potential for negativity, so it's better not to get too addicted to gambling.

[Luzin]

I respect your POV, but any kind of addiction is always bad. Remember, excess is always harmful, even with exercise. Okay, let's say a person engages in it out of boredom, to relieve stress, or for fun. But what if it continues for months or even a year, resulting in continuous losses, which is highly possible in gambling. That can eventually lead to a person wanting to win back their losses, creating a cycle. One must have a very strong will to avoid falling into that state.

Addiction tends to have a negative connotation to an action. That's because addiction is the loss of control over a situation. Gambling addiction means losing control of gambling activities. In some of the problems that occur, this gambling addiction occurs and results in material losses. In fact, many of these incidents made life difficult for their families, even many were sick because they were not strong enough to think about the problem of gambling addiction that made their wealth run out.