What are the dialectical elements of compulsive gambling?

Answer 1

Surely a dialectic discourse of compulsive gambling involves a two way discussion to find the principles that lay behind the subject, in this case the elements of. In a Q & A format, dialectical discourse is not necessarily encouraged but I will try my best to get things going:

In our case here, we are distinguishing between different types of gambling and focussing on the type we are defining as compulsive. By this I reckon we are talking about someone who is unable to resist the impulse to gamble. To get down to the elements of this condition, we need to understand the nature of compulsion and addiction in general, and in doing so, not necessarily focus on the actual compulsive act, ie the gambling.

Addiction is not yet fully understood at all, by anyone, so I am not going to be presumtious and say I have the answers, but there is a definite moment in any activity where there is a shift to dependence from normal behaviour. The factors that cause this can be many, and can range from a social environment which enables acceptance of the behaviour to the risk/reward thrill at a more personal level. This, reinforced by non favourable personal conditions means that the activity can represent an escape from present situations and become the main overriding focus for somebody and replace normal control mechanisms in their lives.

As I have whittered on far too long already for a question far too broad in depth and probably far too flambouyantly worded for this format I will stop and let the discourse begin :)