Neuroscientists using "functional" Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) have recently discovered some fascinating things that go on inside the brains of gamblers. The brain researchers have identified which parts of a gambler's brain are activated during each step of the gambling process. There is one area of the brain where strong good feelings are initiated. This area gets activated before, during, and after attempting to win something. The thought of winning is all that is necessary to activate this area. Either actually winning, or even just thinking about winning, activates this area and sends good feelings throughout the body.
The good feelings when thinking about winning lasts longest when the game is must uncertain (i.e. when the odds of winning are the greatest). If the odds of winning are 50/50, the good feelings about winning are not as strong as if the odds are 1/100 for winning.
The brain chemical causing the rush of good feelings when thinking about winning, or actually winning, is dopamine. Like all drugs, after awhile it takes a stronger dose to bring on the same good feelings. This is where the gambling addiction can start, just as it does in an addiction to drugs. Gamblers soon need higher and higher stakes and odds of winning to achieve the same high feeling.
Gamblers resemble drug addicts in their lack of impulse control while seeking that good feeling of winning. Gamblers often go into a trance-like mania following a losing streak where they are missing that winning feeling. They can't stop anteing-up in a crazed attempt to recoup their prior losses and obtain that winning good feeling. They want to believe everything will change on the next bet. The fallout from such uncontrollable loosing sprees is often devastating emotionally and financially.
The lines shown below frequently appear in hands of people with addictions as indicated. These addictions are similar to the gambling addiction but come in different degrees of severity. Generally Hand Analysts call these lines "Escape Lines" because there is usually a strong desire to escape the particular addiction. This desire to escape is often as strong as the addiction but the conflict does not get resolved, causing much distress in daily life.
- 1: Need for excitement and stimulation. This person is a wanderer who seeks repeated stimulation and excitement by exploration of constant new places and things. He or she desires to escape this addiction by finding intimacy and romance. The challenge is to settle down and find a willing partner.
- 2: Need to escape the addiction of light physical stimulation from such things as caffeine and chocolate. The challenge is to break the habit of eating or drinking for stimulation and do physical activities instead.
- 3: Need to escape a need for strong physical stimulation from such things as drugs or alcohol. The challenge is to find new satisfying and stimulating interests, and break old habits.
- 4: Need to escape from one's own needs by taking care of others. The challenge is to recognize own needs and take care of those first.
- 5: Need to escape daily routine problems and requirements by becoming isolated and abandoning normal good health and social interactions. The challenge is to get back into the normal social flow with friends and family.
