- PPF Points
- 7,314
Medicine may be utilized as the sole method of treating gambling addiction, especially by people that have not managed to solve the problem through their own willpower, therapy or behavioral changes. As said before, medication is no magic. Nevertheless, some medications have shown the potential to restore that balance of brain chemicals that are the real cause of the impulsive behavior. The mentioned drugs, namely naltrexone and nalmefene, had their origin as substances to fight the effect of alcohol or opiates on the human organism, and now they are mostly used to dull the feeling and urge to gamble by blocking the brain’s reward system. There are also others, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or mood stabilizers, which may be of help if you have the accompanying issues which might be anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive tendencies that are propelling the addiction further. The trick is to lower the intensity of the storm to the level where you can regain the upper hand. There is, however, the fact that the drugs’ effect is not the same on everyone, as human beings are different in their natural tolerance—what sedates one person's will may not even have an effect on the other person. These patients need to share their feelings with the physicians, monitor their mood, and show as much patience as it may take with the recovery process. Besides, when you rely on medicine it doesn’t infer that you are a weak person; it shows that you have realized that the chemicals related to the brain are a serious matter and that you are treating them like the real health issue they are. However, it is also crucial not to pin all your hopes on drugs, as these may not lie at the root of the problem. Even if the person is not yet ready for therapy or group support, yet if he has a steady resolve to give up the habit coupled with the taking of medication, such a person has a lot of chances of success.