In some cases, the use of medication
may play a useful role in the treatment of a gambling disorder.
Although there are no “magic bullets” that provide
instant cures for addictive behavior, certain pharmaceutical
drugs may cause a person to crave the behavior or object
of desire with less intensity – particularly if a
commitment to curtail the deleterious behavior has already
been made.
Over the past few decades, compulsive or pathological gambling
has been viewed more and more as a biologically based disorder
in which the brain’s pleasure centers are somewhat
impaired. In those cases where depression is associated
with compulsive gambling, a class of drugs know as selective
serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) may be helpful
in diminishing impulse intensity. Certain anti-anxiety medications
may also be useful. However, any drug used in the treatment
of a gambling disorder should be prescribed by a licensed
physician under whom the patient is encouraged to receive
continued supervision and care.
Also, as researchers continue to unravel the mysteries of
the human genome, the origin of compulsive gambling may
prove to have a genetic basis. If that theory is proven,
then it is likely that new drugs designed specifically for
the treatment of compulsive gambling will be developed.
Further, it is possible that drugs that already have been
developed – for the purpose of treating other disorders
– ultimately may prove useful in compulsive gambling
treatment. However, more research is needed in this area.
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