I don’t think I even need “triggers” to gamble. “Urges” and “triggers” feel like excuses to me. Why do “normal” people who have all the pinpricks of life to deal with NOT gamble? Why don’t I drink to “drown my sorrows” or take drugs or take up buddhism or flower arranging or golf?? Just my fleeting thoughts. SEEING money, especially 50 notes will generally remind me of the days I “enjoyed” sliding them into machines and taking a deep breath ,relaxing in the casino chair. But is that a memory or a trigger? I really don’t know. I think the addiction/craving/compulsion to gamble is a condition that some people have and some don’t. I know the GA theory is that a CG can never place any type of bet or play any game of chance or toss a dice. For me, Slot machines are my only poison. I long for them. I yearn for the release and escape that they offer. And I enjoy the risk. It’s a disorder that brings chaos and turmoil into the lives of some vulnerable people when we succumb to the temptation. Do I need triggers? I really don’t think I do. I need to keep focused on the fact that order and chaos are diametrically opposed. When we “take the drug”, we suffer the hangover. Always. I need to deal with Life on Life’s terms. Gambling solves nothing. A reason (“trigger/urge”) can easily be turned into an excuse. Good topic though!
