Your friends make it look fun, so you give it a try. The high is exciting. The next weekend comes, and you do it again. Before long, you’re chasing that high and looking for every opportunity to experience it again. Eventually, it causes you to lose everything.
Most people reading those sentences would be tempted to think that “it” describes a highly addictive drug. In fact, “it” doesn’t describe a substance at all, but a behavior—gambling. Although a gambling addiction doesn’t have the physical risks associated with alcohol, heroin, or other substances, the dangers of compulsive gambling are still very real. If you or a loved one is addicted to gambling, inpatient rehab can help.