Maybe not worse than drug or alcohol addiction but, imo, just as bad. I have a friend who over the past two years or so has developed a gambling problem. He has lost a good job, his wife has divorced him, his young kids don’t understand whats going on. He is continually depressed and every time he gets a bit of money he is off gambling. He believes that he may get one good win that will solve all his problems. It’s really sad.
We have all tried to help but as the Prof says ultimately he has to make a decision to change and only then can we truly help.