Slot machines and abusive partners use identical psychology: intermittent reinforcement. Research proves your brain is trauma-bonded to gambling the same way victims bond to abusers.
Why does gambling feel exactly like being in an abusive relationship? Because it is. Slot machines and emotionally abusive partners use the identical psychological mechanism: variable ratio reinforcement. The love bombing followed by ghosting, the near wins followed by devastating losses. Your dopamine system cannot tell the difference. Here is the research that proves it.
By Kate Mosley, Gambling Recovery Coach.
Slot Machines and Abusive Relationships Use the Same Addiction Psychology