Addiction - Where My Brain Led Me Today

Did you ever send in an entry for the Publisher's Clearing House sweepstakes? Do you remember getting those hefty envelopes in the mail where you would have what seemed like fifty different forms you could fill out, and oh - there were magazines to be ordered as well. Of course, everything is digital these days, but people still fill out their information and submit it to PCH in hopes of winning LOTS of money. 

Have you ever entered a Publisher's Clearing House sweepstakes? I
know I entered several when I was quite a bit younger. I'd fill out
numerous forms, and I even subscribed to a couple of their
magazines now and again. 

People buy lottery tickets, drive over to casinos, or sit down at automatic slot machines in diners or gas stations too. All in hopes of being a winner - getting more back than they put in. I'm certainly guilty of putting the occasional quarter into a slot machine, but can also honestly say that I haven't done so for years and years. It's not of interest to me, and seems a horrid waste of money. I'm quite aware, however, that my case isn't the case for everyone. Gambling can be fun, but it can also be an addiction for some people. 

Slot machines used to be something found in other states, until
Indian gambling casinos opened here in the Frozen Northlands.
Now we can just drive over to the nearest Indian casino and
"donate" our money to the tribe of our choice. 

I wonder if a gambling addiction encompasses all forms of gambling, or if it is type-specific or location-specific. I know it can destroy people, their relationships, and their lives as surely as any other type of addiction. I have an acquaintance who is a recovering gambling addict. I suppose if I ever decide to write a character who fits that parameter, interviewing her would be a good place to start my character development. 

Addiction is a cycle. It can be for gambling, alcohol, food,
drugs, or many other substances. Things that trip your
personal trigger can become an addiction for you. 

Addiction itself leaves me wondering about our predilection, as a species, to over-indulge. Is it just some people who have a gene marker that can be clicked on or off for addiction? Or is it psychology acting in combination with the physical high of addiction that begins to pave a road that person wants to travel? Does every addict think they can stop any time they want? Or do they just not care - wanting the addiction more than anything else and any other options. 

A lot of research has gone into discovering how addiction works
in the brain and, possibly, how to alter the triggers to keep
addiction from settling in. I think, however, that human beings
will always want what makes them feel good - even when they
know it's bad for them. 

I had my times of walking a narrow line, and I suspect if events in my own life had been different, I could have fallen into an addiction of a type, but I didn't for numerous reasons. Still, I wonder. What if? How would my life be different? Where would I be now? 

Enjoy your Tuesday. We're definitely colder once again, but we're past the worst of winter and well into our early part of spring. Here's hoping you have a fabulous day and I'll be back tomorrow. And if you have any insights into my topic today, please comment below or in private message. *hugs*