I understand that with loot boxes in some video games, these items like skins, weapons, tools, among others, can be traded for real money. However, there are others that are equally addictive without any monetary benefit. On the other hand, with casinos, in general, you can win money 100% of the time. Therefore, these cases of addiction are not strictly related to money, but the loss of money would be more of a consequence. So, to what degree is money a stimulating factor in addictions?
Is the loss of money just collateral damage?
Money has never always been the contributory factor to causing an addiction, simply because we have drug, alcohol and sex addictions, which are not monetary stimulated just as it is in the urge in gambling addiction, or rather not monetary dependent (i.e Money is not it's primary cause). Because there are different factors that causes addictions, such as
biological factor, such as when an activity triggers the release of dopamine "feel-good hormone". It makes the individual want to continue. While the second is Psychological Factor, whereby when an individual is stress, they may seek for substance or activity which gives them joy, and if they are opportuned to find one through alcohol or drug, they may tend to stay addicted to such. Hence, making money not the only stimulating factor for addiction.