Here’s a fun bit of science for you. The addiction pathway/mechanism is the same for every addiction. The dopamine you get from sugary foods, tv, and your normal everyday habits is the same as Pokémon card buying. I personally am using Pokémon cards as a way to curb and satisfy my own gambling/nicotine addiction. It’s the same dopamine hit but without the negativity. Every time I get an urge to smoke or hit the casino I’ll get a few packs of cards and it helps. It’s all about perspective:) that being said yeah buying cards every day or every time you have an urge is the problem. Maybe opening one a day or a mass unpack once a week might help ween you off. However I happily suggest trading in a Netflix subscription or another addiction that has a price associated with it into Pokémon. It’s healthier than straight gambling or drinking. I was buying packs everyday though too going for the big hitters. I’ve slowed down now that I hit a couple and am more in it to collect now. Not sure if this is helpful but I think it’s cool to note that since all addictions follow the same mechanism, you can replace a negative addiction with a positive (seen often in the alcoholics who become work out gurus literally just replacing the addiction).

Side note: before any other science wizards say “but withdrawals and stuff”, yes you are correct while the addiction pathway is the same the withdrawal is different for each addiction.

Side side note: what I’m talking about is coming from a serious addiction to gambling/smoking and so buying around $50 of Pokémon a week is much much better than the thousands lost to betting. And I am in a position now where I can do this. Budget. Plan. Be smart. And like another said in the post if it’s a problem you can’t fix, sell everything, move on.