Being a addict of pool is far less harmful than being an drug addict, instead of killing brain cells, your giving your Brain a workout. Pool is harmful if you overly gamble, or find yourself just whacking balls like a zombie. a mindless drone that is a slave to the game.
If like a stated before you can maintain focus and play with intent everytime you pick up your cue and you play everyday you will become a great pool player and on a road of mastery. The cold hard fact is people that play daily out of 1,000 maybe one or two will play hard daily. out of the two the chances for pool greatness are slim to none. BUT that is on the player, not the odd's.
You watch a good player, and how they match up with lesser players, then match them up with a player who is a little better, My observation's tell me when the majority of player's match up close, the winner useualy just obliterate's the other. WHY? if they play about the same shouldnt it be a close game?
The reality is they lack mental toughness, they proboly play to much without meaning. When the other guy brings his game or her game, they basicaly quit. all it takes is one tough safe or a good run and the match is over. OR they will jump out of the gate hard, and then the other guy (or gal) does the same and they crumble.
This will happen over and over again and you will be labeled as a LOOSER.
Sometimes all it takes is a remark from the other player, or maybe a tough shot, the reason this bothers you is because if you go to the hall every day and play at the low end of your ability when the pressure is on your ability drops to near zero. New emotions, maybe some adrenaline and you simply cant play.
In these instances you need to lay down your cue, walk away, and come back another day. Or get expert advice. a pool clinic IMHO gives you something to focus on, or you need a full time coach, you cant do it alone, unless you have the drive and many dont.
your practice sessions need structure, and meaning, and you need to be driven, so that when you feel your letting up someone or something kick's you in the behind to wake you up.
Obviously a pro has overcome this, but sometimes not all of them, I see this happeing in the PRO ranks as well, not as often but it does happen. maybe on a smaller scale but I still see it.
but Hey! what do I know?
SPINDOKTOR