Conquering Storms: How I Learned to Resist Credit Card Cravings
Short drama about overcoming addiction and the storm
She knew the storm was coming soon, bringing with it an inescapable feeling of loneliness. Just a week earlier she had been planning to fly down to Miami for Christmas and visit her parents, but those plans were cruelly canceled when an urgent work deadline came up. Sitting alone in her tiny room in Manhattan, she watched as a CNN reporter predicted heavy stormy weather for the coming week.
177 million Americans will await Christmas weekend under wind chill alerts as a major arctic blast plunges temperatures to dangerous levels.
The frustration of being stuck indoors for an entire week with nothing to do made her even more depressed. She was a sociable person who thrived in the buzz and energy of people and city life; something that felt lost in isolation during Covid-19.
It wasn’t the snowstorm, it was that her secret would get out — something she was afraid to admit in public. She loved playing online card games for money — an indulgence she liked to keep hidden from the world. Although it may be an escape from loneliness, it’s also a dangerous habit she wouldn’t want to pick up
While reading the news an article about brain research caught her eye. It said that using credit cards activates the same areas of the brain as using drugs and gambling, triggering anticipation and cravings in the user.
Research has found “strong evidence suggesting credit cards actually increase the pleasure of purchases”
“These were the regions that have previously been associated with consumption of addictive substances,”
She had already been struggling to stay out of debt, but this new information made her blood run cold — she didn’t want to get caught up in an endless cycle of using her credit cards while playing online card games. As she read, she was getting more and more terrified
“What we found very, very clearly is that the opportunity to use a credit card specifically engaged known reward brain networks, and especially those that are involved in anticipation and craving,”
Fear and uncertainty crept into her mind. What could she do to stop herself from being taken advantage of by her own brain and plastic?
She desperately scrolled through the internet searching for answers, until she stumbled across an article that explained this phenomenon and outlined strategies on how to resist it.
The information was both shocking and liberating — if she could just find the strength within herself to follow the suggestions, she could stay away from the plastic and maybe even make it out of this mess.
She was determined to do whatever it took; this storm was going to be her moment of redemption.
She called her friend, desperate and pleading for help. With a trembling voice she explained her dire predicament and what advice could be offered. Her friend listened intently, then spoke in a solemn tone:
“You must take action. There is no time to waste,” they said. “The clock is ticking — you have only one chance to make the right decision. You must do the following:
1. Educate yourself on the risks associated with credit card abuse and provide guidance on sound financial management strategies.
2. Putting limits in place to restrict how much you can spend per transaction or month, as well as penalties for going over their limit.
3. Encourage yourself the use cash, debit cards, or other forms of payment instead of credit cards for everyday purchases.
4. Establish your personal limits on how much you can borrow against your credit card
The young woman had no choice but to accept and carry out her friend’s advice. She fought hard against the fear, uncertainty, and temptation that threatened to consume her. Through determination and discipline, she managed to conquer her demons — learning how not to succumb to those cravings for instant gratification from credit cards. In the end, she emerged wiser and more resilient — a reminder to us all that, with enough effort and focus, we can overcome any storm.
To wrap it up, here are the top five keys we need to know:
1. Credit card use activates the same areas of the brain as using drugs and gambling, triggering anticipation and cravings in the user.
2. It is important to educate yourself on the risks associated with credit card abuse and provide guidance on sound financial management strategies.
3. Establish personal limits on how much you can borrow against your credit card.
4. Encourage the use of cash, debit cards or other forms of payment instead of credit cards for everyday purchases.
5. With enough effort and focus, we can overcome any storm and stay strong no matter how hard it may seem.
Sincerely yours
Nikita
