Advertising is effective because it is designed to appeal to one's pleasure senses. Advertising is also designed to make a person believe that life can be easy, fun, and irresponsible without consequences. It leads one to believe that the pleasure of the moment is all that counts. Advertising definitely takes advantage of the altered prefrontal cortex in addicted individuals. It may be the key that unlocks the gate leading to the pleasure pathway through presenting triggers to susceptible individuals.

Take casinos, for example. Casinos advertise free food, exciting and entertaining shows with celebrities, and a chance to win easy money. Many high schools and colleges have “Vegas” night with blackjack tables, crap tables, and poker for students to indulge in for entertainment. If schools sponsor this type of activity, it must be safe and fun, right?

Think about this. Eighteen-year-old young adults become eligible for credit cards simultaneously with being allowed into casinos. Does that mean all 18-year-olds are going to gamble their lives away? Of course not. But the young adult who is tempted to gamble can easily get in over his head in debt before he knows it and develop an addiction with lifelong consequences.

This doesn't just happen at casinos, either. Shopping malls have amazing displays designed for the young consumer. Discounts are given in many department stores if one uses a credit card instead of cash. This can be a huge temptation for someone who just received that first credit card in the mail and can't wait to try it out.

If a person has a tendency toward addictive spending, this may be the entry into a long battle with shopping addiction. Availability doesn't automatically lead to addictions, but it does make it easier to get started.