Gaming

Contrary to my prior thought, there is a biological explanation to gambling.   I was able to find a brief description of what goes on inside the brain when gambling takes place. Serotonin and norepinephrine are chemicals emitted by the brain when gamblers gamble.  Some pathological gamblers have lower levels of norepinephrine than normal gamblers, these chemicals are secreted from the brain during high excitement activities, with a difficiency in this area the gambler will continue to seek excitement, this emulates a drug addiction. Reward in gambling produces brain activity which is similar to what occurs during drug use. This causes an  “impulse-control disorder”, which also occurs in other situations such as compulsive shopping or to go as far as pyromania.  Research has shown that use of paroxetine, generally used for OCD treatment, has proven improvement in cases of Impulse-control Disorder (“Problem Gamb.”).

Treatment for gambling is extraordinarily similar to treatment for alcoholism.  One approach is a 12-step program; which begins with the gambler acknowledging he has problem. The 12-step program has a 50% success rate. While both gambling and drug addiction are fairly easy to fall into, drug addictions can be much stronger.  Nicotine, for example gets a progressively stronger hold on the user.

Surgeon General warnings can be found on all tobacco products found in the United States, and in Europe you can find on most tobacco boxes fairly large warnings of the dangers of addiction.  Casinos are not taking enough initiative to help fight the risk of creating gambling compulsive players.  Measures should be taken to help prevent this from happening, such as finding a way to limit game-time among frequent players to monitor possible pathological gamblers.  In addition, the government must take a stronger position on this, because the machine of big business often lacks emotion, often simply seeking profits.  I believe people should be allowed to play, but it should be a privilege, not a right.  Perhaps similar to obtianing a driver’s license.  

In conclusion, through my research and personal experience, I have seen that gambling is a true addiction, with real physiological bonds.  Even though gambling is not as physically dangerous as drugs are, the dangers of gambling should not be taken lightly. Gambling is an addiction that can take someone slowly by surprise, and without their consent.  Before the gambler knows it he will be in a hole that is difficult to get out of.  There is no nicotine patch for gambling; the only way to stop is to force yourself by setting down rules and showing real discipline.