All addictions serve an emotional purpose. Compulsive gambling is no different than alcohol or compulsive porn watching etc. All addictions are symptoms of something else in our lives that bother us. Addictions are behaviors used to regain control over our emotions, usually feeling helpless, trapped and out of control. Addictions help us reverse those feelings with a quick fix or mood changer. You don't get addicted to a substance or a behavior unless you have learned it does something for you.