Can poker be compared to alcohol or drug addiction?

yuriko oyama · May 21, 2024

In my humble opinion, no.
Poker is a sport of the mind, perhaps one of the most stressful and frustrating.
but I see the bets being very similar to these two vices mentioned.

Magallaneroy · May 21, 2024

If you don't have control over it, of course, is like gambling.

member401988 · May 22, 2024

Magallaneroy said:
If you don't have control over it, of course, is like gambling.

but then it's too late when a person becomes addicted
for example, yesterday I was normal, but tomorrow I am sick

CataRouillet · May 22, 2024

I don't think it's comparable. But what it seems to me is that if a person is addicted, they can be addicted to anything.

black and · May 22, 2024

luckyfish98 said:
if so, sometimes it's even worse

I think no. Of course, there are gamblers addicted to gambling, but I don't think it's correct to compare it with alcohol addiction or drug addiction.

member401988 · May 23, 2024

black and said:
I think no. Of course, there are gamblers addicted to gambling, but I don't think it's correct to compare it with alcohol addiction or drug addiction.

an accident is an accident or caused by alcohol, drugs or poker

Chebchoub · May 23, 2024

We can become addicted to gambling, alcohol or drugs, but poker is a game of intelligence like any other game that we can enjoy without harm.

IRINA70 · May 23, 2024

I personally cannot say that playing poker, where you have to work with your brain, can be comparable to alcohol or drug addiction. Under the influence of strong alcohol or drugs, brain activity is suppressed or a state of altered consciousness occurs, which is exactly the opposite of the brain functioning during the game of a normal player.

member401988 · May 23, 2024

IRINA70 said:
I personally cannot say that playing poker, where you have to work with your brain, can be comparable to alcohol or drug addiction. Under the influence of strong alcohol or drugs, brain activity is suppressed or a state of altered consciousness occurs, which is exactly the opposite of the brain functioning during the game of a normal player.

of course, alcohol is not a problem for some people if they know how to drink
it's the same with poker(it is many areas of life...)

dreamer13 · May 23, 2024

Addiction to computer games and gambling is equivalent to addiction to drugs and alcohol. Moreover, if alcohol and drugs are most often introduced at an older age, then Internet and computer addiction can arise at an early age.

member401988 · May 23, 2024

dreamer13 said:
Addiction to computer games and gambling is equivalent to addiction to drugs and alcohol. Moreover, if alcohol and drugs are most often introduced at an older age, then Internet and computer addiction can arise at an early age.

drugs are already used by first graders today
but computer addiction is observed even in kindergartens

MishkaZL · May 23, 2024

Any addiction to bad habits is a big problem. But in the case of poker, it can be both a bad habit and a very useful one. Therefore, I think this is a question that should be considered individually.

fundiver199 · May 23, 2024

Poker in itself is not an addiction, but gambling addiction can be compared to drug or alcohol addiction, and all 3 can have negative effects on someones life. This is why, responsible gambling rules are part of the licensing in all countries, where online gambling is regulated. In Sweden, where I live, there is a mandatory deposit limit, a ban on all promotions and a "panic button", where players can self exclude for 24 hours. Every 90 minutes a message pop up and inform us about our playing time and win/loss, which is a bit annoying but not really that important.

Finally we have to set playing time limits. On PokerStars they can be set to 23 hours a day, so there it does not really matter, but on 888 Poker we can set them no higher than 12 hours per day. Which is quite limiting for an MTT player and one of the reasons, I stopped playing there, since it makes the site even less attractive and usefull for me.

Goalie35 · May 23, 2024

Poker is gambling and gambling can be an addiction. That is why there is Gamblers Anonymous.

istbno · May 23, 2024

Poker can indeed be compared to alcohol or drug addiction in terms of its potential to develop into a behavioral addiction. While poker itself is a game of skill and strategy, it can lead to problematic behaviors for some individuals. Like substance addiction, problem gambling can cause significant issues in personal, financial, and social aspects of life. The thrill of winning, combined with the potential for financial gain, can create a cycle of chasing losses, leading to compulsive behavior. Recognizing signs of addiction, such as neglecting responsibilities, lying about gambling, or feeling unable to stop, is crucial. Seeking help from support groups or professionals can prevent the negative impacts of gambling addiction.

TulasMoreno · May 23, 2024

Yes, you have to be caution with that

olejean · May 23, 2024

Both are addictions. But poker is a psychological addiction while alcohol or drugs are primarily physical.

R.Melnyk77 · May 23, 2024

luckyfish98 said:
if so, sometimes it's even worse

We all know that there are players who are addicted. Whether this addiction arose from poker, or from roulette or slots is not so important. There are people who are addicted to alcohol or drugs. Addiction is always bad. It just doesn't make sense to compare addiction with addiction.

member401988 · May 24, 2024

R.Melnyk77 said:
We all know that there are players who are addicted. Whether this addiction arose from poker, or from roulette or slots is not so important. There are people who are addicted to alcohol or drugs. Addiction is always bad. It just doesn't make sense to compare addiction with addiction.

my idea was to inform new players about the consequences of playing poker, so I compared it to something understandable and visible
not everyone who plays poker is addicted but we don't know what can happen
that I already said that today I am healthy but tomorrow I can get sick
many who recommend playing poker consider it innocent and a good thing, although the truth is different

Ruslan L · May 24, 2024

I think alcohol or narcotic addiction is a more serious and complex disease than gambling addiction. Just looking at alcoholics and drug addicts, their appearance and life, it cannot be compared with the appearance and life of a person who is addicted to gambling.

mssmotilda · May 24, 2024

luckyfish98 said:
if so, sometimes it's even worse

I don't think this is a fair comparison. Alcohol in small quantities is sometimes even beneficial, but the same cannot be said about drug addiction.

Flyer35 · May 24, 2024

I think it depends on how you approach it. If you are the sort of person who studies and constantly works to improve your game you are likely not addicted. If on the other hand you just throw time and money at it relying mostly on innate ability, then you are more likely addicted.

A variation on this is the person who only plays freerolls, but plays them together with real money games financed with their freeroll winnings a lot, again without much time or effort expended on learning and improving. That person is likely addicted too, they just haven't yet made the important step of dipping into their bank accounts.

Otherwise, as olejean said above:

olejean said:
poker is a psychological addiction while alcohol or drugs are primarily physical.

bullkk · May 24, 2024

I think you can compare. It's hard to stay there and there!)

jaredrr200 · May 24, 2024

It depends, it's like everything else, there are many people who consume alcohol and drugs without the need to be addicted, the same in poker you can enjoy it without damaging your life or becoming addicted.

infonazar · May 24, 2024

luckyfish98 said:
if so, sometimes it's even worse

Gaming addiction is more of a psychological problem, while drug or alcohol addiction is both a psychological and a physiological addiction. That's why I think it's not worth comparing

Can poker be compared to alcohol or drug addiction?

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