Why is it that I get such satisfaction out of slot machines?!
Question:
Why is it that I get such satisfaction out of slot machines?
It's crazy, I could sit (literally) for 12 hours and play if I had the chance (which I don't). I gamble once in awhile, however, when I do, I find it very comforting. It gives me a "warm fuzzy". I hyper-focus and don't even know what is going on around me. Does anyone know why this is? Does it make any sense at all? I take adderall 40 mg. every day. Could this have something to do with it?
Answers:
The fact that you take Adderall suggests that you are being treated for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). People with this disorder are highly susceptible to the allure of gambling and other addictions. Gambling and other addictions have the quality of giving immediate reinforcement, that at the moment feels like positive reinforcement, but actually any feedback that is immediate if sought by people with ADD/ADHD. The second factor that adds to the allure and hook of gambling is that there is partial random reinforcement which strengthens any behavior and has a strong hold. Partial reinforcement, and random can be the worst form, keeps people performing the behavior because the person feels he is going to get a payoff, he just does not know when, he just has to keep up the behavior. Unfortunately, the person rarely keeps track of the cost of the behavior. The percent payoff of gambling is precisely calculated to keep the behavior going.