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Brain and Gambling Disorder written by Gambling Disorder Gambling Disorder Jon E. Grant, JD, MD Professor of & Behavioral Is... Is Not... at the University of Chicago a serious condition. People are not a sign of poor moral character or an able to stop or control their gambling Published by State of Connecticut Brain indication that the person is lazy, Department of Mental Health and even when they know it hurts them, greedy, or bad. Addiction Services their families and friends, and their Problem Gambling Services wallets. People with gambling disorder are also called compulsive or addictive What Causes PROBLEM Biology gamblers. They spend a lot of time Gambling Disorder GAMBLING thinking about gambling and often SERVICES And experience overwhelming urges to There is growing evidence that the GS interaction of a number of factors, P gamble. They risk more money and spend more time gambling than they such as psychological needs, social P.O. Box 351, intend to. Gambling interferes with their pressure, developmental issues, and Middletown, CT 06457 Gambling ability to maintain friendships and meet the biological functions of the brain, 860-344-2244 the responsibilities at home and work. contribute to the development of www.ct.gov/dmhas/pgs gambling disorder. PGS Helpline: 888-789-7777 Disorder Many people with gambling disorder do For some people, gambling disorder not believe that gambling is responsible runs in families. This suggests that for their problems. Even those who vulnerability to developing gambling recognize how gambling affects their disorder may be inherited as well as lives find it difficult or impossible to learned. That is not the only cause of stop, no matter how hard they try. gambling disorder however. It is clear that other factors, such as People with gambling disorder may financial problems, changes in a family become depressed or anxious. related to divorce or death, or even Sometimes, but not always, they living near a casino or other gambling abuse and/or other drugs, and venue, may contribute to the disorder. struggle with smoking. Many people Studies show that people with gambling with gambling disorder also disorder are three to eight times more experience poorer overall health, likely than recreational gamblers to such as difficulties with hypertension, have a parent with gambling disorder. In obesity, and insomnia. Families some families of people with gambling © 2017 State of CT affected by gambling disorder can disorder, a greater- than-average DMHAS also experience problems, especially number of people struggle with alcohol, PROBLEM GAMBLING SERVICES in the areas of personal responsibility, Jon E. Grant, JD, MD other drugs, or depression. However, finances, and trust. gambling disorder also occurs in people who have no family history of these problems. The Biology of the Brain is involved in , , or noradrenalin, affects , and reward. If doing something energy, concentration, alertness, and The brain consists of billions of Changes in the concentrations of some makes a person feel good, they usually sensation-seeking. Gamblers have cells organized by region and function. are associated with want to do it again and again. Dopamine been found to have increased levels of These cells communicate with one a range of psychiatric illnesses such dysfunction appears to make people norepinephrine during gambling, and those vulnerable to addictive behaviors. levels stay elevated for extended periods another through chemicals called as depression, anxiety, and obsessive- — even after the gambling stops for the neurotransmitters. compulsive disorder. In terms of Glutamate appears to play a role in day. These findings suggest that gamblers gambling disorder, researchers are reinforcing Research suggests that individuals with may experience heightened levels of not yet certain which our behavior when we find something gambling disorder have changes in the while gambling, which, in turn, changes may provide more pleasurable. Dysfunction in this leads to wanting to gamble more. levels of neurotransmitter activity in understanding of and better treatments neurotransmitter may play a large role in parts of their brains. why people after they try for the disorder. However, there are to stop gambling. It is not clear, however, that these neurotransmitters, especially those changes cause gambling disorder— listed here, that are good candidates for , chemicals made in the they could also be the effects of more study. body, have the same effects on the brain What Do These Findings Mean? that morphine and do. Endorphins gambling disorder — but further Learning about the brain biology of create a feeling of pleasure, well-being exploration of such changes could lead people with with gambling disorder gives and relieve pain. Several activities to new treatments. researchers a way to understand why release endorphins, including meditation gamblers have such difficulty stopping. and aerobic exercise. That is the usual Perhaps the excitement and risk involved explanation for the “runner’s high.” Exciting in gambling produce chemical changes and risky activities, such as mountain that result in addiction. If that is true, climbing, also produce endorphins. good intentions and willpower may not be Endorphin production in the brains of enough. It is reasonable to hope that in gamblers may be one explanation for the future, the benefits of psychosocial their addiction. Medicines that block the treatments for gambling disorder — endorphins have been helpful to individual and group therapy, family some gamblers. interventions, and Gamblers Anonymous – may be enhanced more often with appears to help people control their impulses and need for excitement. medication. A reduced concentration of serotonin in the brain is associated with a decrease in the ability to control impulses, which in turn may lead to risky behaviors such as gambling. Medications that raise serotonin levels are effective treatments for depression. They can sometimes also help gamblers exercise more -control.