There is no magical cure for bull789 addiction and there is no one particular medication that can actually stop and individuals’ impulse to gamble. If you surf the net you can find various small studies that have shown that certain medications can curb the urge to gamble. Results of these studies have not shown any major significant indications.
Gambling is a behavioral addiction which is also known as an “impulse disorder”. It is a learned behavior, even though many biological influences have been shown to effect gambling behavior.
Many significant studies have shown that the drugs actually prescribed to patients with Parkinson’s disease have actually increased gambling behavior severely in these patients who never had a gambling problem in the first place. Because these drugs known as “dopamine -agonists”increased the available supply of dopamine in the brain, strong conclusions have been made regarding the role of dopamine in compulsive gambling behavior.
If an individual with a gambling addiction suffers from depression or anxiety, medication may be prescribed to treat these underlying problems. Sometimes a physician will prescribe an anti-depressant that can improve mood and curb the urge for self-destructive and addictive gambling.
Medications may be prescribed for gambling addiction, however, it is my belief that an overall lifestyle change including healthy diet, self-care, exercise, and good sleep habits can help as well. Every unique situation is different, and it is a good idea for an individual with a gambling addiction to visit his or her physician for an expert opinion.
Sometimes we all look for that magic pill that will make a huge change in our lives without taking personal responsibility for that change. An individual with a gambling problem needs to make life changes in all areas of his or her life to truly beat a gambling problem. It is a lifelong process of change that will solidify a good, healthy recovery.