Addictions

Addictions to anything in life have always puzzled me, probably because I've never experienced them myself. I can understand how they work, just not how they can manifest in to someones mind so deeply for the individual not to be able to control it. I thought I'd post about this topic as it's been on my mind recently due to a huge increase in gambling in my life. I love playing poker and I started playing blackjack and roulette a while back but recently read up on a couple of 'systems' then started to formulate my own, basically to increase my chances of winning money. Why work when it's so easy to get money eh?

Focusing on Roulette I got in to a sticky situation where I was basically throwing all my money away (and I mean literally all) due to incredibly bad luck but admittedly, also down to the fact I kept wanting that little bit more. Call it greedy or call it clever... I'll let you decide. However after risking it all, it did work out for me and after betting big amounts simply on the spin of a wheel, I began to wonder if I was getting addicted. I never enjoyed the thought of losing money. No-one would. However I relished the chance of gaining easy money should it work. After thinking in to it; continuing to go back to the roulette wheel, trusting my system and winning again and again; I realised I wasn't addicted. I was just enjoying the thrill of taking such a risk, and it paying off. I knew it wasn't an addiction simply due to the fact I knew I could stop whenever I wanted to. So I did. I don't think addicts can see that in their lives though... A way out so to speak, when in reality everyone has a choice in life. Everyone has the chance to make their life what they want it to be.

Don't get me wrong, I will do it again and bet big in the future. Just for now I don't want to get in to a mindset where I trust it 100%, and then it doesn't work out... For example Black came up 12 times in a row yesterday. The chances of that are ridiculously low and it's a good job I was betting Black, or else I'd have nothing left in my account now. It's this kind of thing that worry's me and makes me glad I still have control. I've come to a conclusion that the knowledge of self control is the key to avoiding addictions. Other than gambling, tattoo's are another thing that I briefly thought could link addictions and myself together. Despite loving tattoo's and wanting more and more; coming up with different ideas almost daily; I know I am in control and would never get one for the sake of it.

For this kind of thinking, I'm glad I have the mind I do and think the way I think. If only other people who can't seem to control it could think in the same way and realise they are the one's in control.