TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Many people buy lottery tickets or collectible blind boxes for entertainment, but Huang Ming-chi (黃名琪), director of the Songde branch of Taipei City Hospital, warned Friday that excessive involvement may indicate addictive behavior, CNA reported.
Huang said small bets are common during the Lunar New Year holiday. However, some individuals become overly immersed.
“This is mainly related to personality traits and brain mechanisms,” Huang said. People who are impulsive or favor immediate rewards over long-term benefits are more likely to activate the brain’s reward and addiction systems when faced with financial temptations.
Addictive behaviors often go unrecognized. Fewer than one-third of severe cases are aware of their problem, making early intervention difficult.
Warning signs include persistent urges to “win back losses” and concealing spending or borrowing money to continue the activity. Individuals may also experience strong cravings, feel distress when not participating, and feel regret afterward.
Occasional participation may be harmless, Huang said, but anyone feeling trapped in a cycle of discomfort, both while engaging in the activity and when abstaining, should seek professional help. Psychiatric consultation or psychological counseling may be needed if these actions begin to disrupt daily life.
Huang suggested pausing before purchases to assess whether motivation stems from genuine interest or a desire for stimulation. She said addiction involves physiological changes in the brain and is not simply a matter of willpower.
