How the Brain Gets Addicted to Gambling Research indicates that problem gamblers and drug addicts share similar genetic tendencies for reward-seeking and impulsivity. Compulsive gamblers just like addicts need strong hits to stay high. In fact...Read More
~Posted on
Nov 2019
How the Brain Gets
Addicted to Gambling
Research indicates that problem
gamblers and drug addicts share similar genetic tendencies for reward-seeking
and impulsivity. Compulsive gamblers just like addicts need strong hits to stay
high. In fact, they even pursue riskier ventures. Similarly, they both
experience withdrawal symptoms when separated from the thrill they so much
desire. Some studies indicate that some individuals are predisposed to both
gambling and drug addiction because of an inherently underactive reward
circuitry, thus tend to seek big thrills. Neuroscientists have discovered that
gambling and drugs affect the same brain circuits in the same way. The electrical
activity of the prefrontal brain regions of drug addicts and compulsive gamblers
is often altered. This section of the brain normally helps individuals suppress
instincts and assess risks. Drug addicts are known to have a prefrontal cortex
that is listless.
The issue of a similar change in the
brain system of compulsive gamblers and drug addicts has also surfaced among
individuals with neurodegenerative disorder
Parkinson's disease. One gets Parkinson when neurons that produce dopamine die
in a section of their midbrain. Researchers have determined that a significant
number of Parkinson’s disease patients (up to 7%) are problems gamblers.
Researchers claim that the impacting
chemical influx modifies the brain in a way that makes rewards and risks more
appealing and rash decisions hard to resist. Scientists have also been able to
redefine addiction through further understanding of compulsive gambling.
Initially, experts referred to addiction as dependency on a chemical, but now
they would like to think of it as a repeated pursuit of a rewarding experience
even when facing serious repercussions.
Several studies indicate that the most
appropriate treatment for addiction is cognitive-behavior therapy, that trains
individuals to overcome unwanted habits and thoughts. For instance, gambling
addicts should learn to erase irrational beliefs such as a string of losses
signify an imminent win.