- Many crypto traders turn to stimulants to stay focused during trading, and then downers to cope with the anxiety and sleeplessness that follows. The trading highs and lows create conditions ripe for substance abuse.
- Experts say compulsive trading and addiction are intertwined – the dopamine spike of a profitable trade is addictive like drugs, and the subsequent crash damages impulse control and increases anxiety. This chemical dependence makes stopping extremely difficult.
- Though successful traders may have the funds to sustain their addictions, experts recommend professional treatment combining therapy, lifestyle changes, and financial counseling. Overcoming addiction is challenging so adequate support systems are key.
Cryptocurrency trading can be an exciting but stressful endeavor. The 24/7 markets and volatility lead some traders to substance abuse. According to addiction experts, the use of stimulants, alcohol, and prescription drugs is increasingly common among crypto traders trying to gain an edge or cope with the emotional toll.
What Goes Up Must Come Down
Many traders turn to stimulants like amphetamines and cocaine to stay energized and focused during long trading sessions. But this uppers are often followed by downers like alcohol, benzodiazepines, and sleeping pills to alleviate the subsequent anxiety and sleeplessness. The trading highs and lows create the perfect conditions for substance abuse.
The Link Between Trading and Addiction
Experts say compulsive trading and substance abuse are intertwined. The dopamine spike of a profitable trade can be addictive, just like drugs and alcohol. And the dopamine crash that follows can damage the brain’s reward system over time, reducing impulse control and increasing anxiety. This chemical dependence on trading and substances makes it extremely difficult to stop.
Money Doesn’t Make It Any Better
Having the funds to sustain an addiction indefinitely enables some successful traders to prolong their substance abuse issues. The constant access to money and drugs disincentivizes them from seeking treatment. Some may feel their addictions are under control, even as the consequences escalate.
