![]() The Yale Center has also investigated gender-related differences in gambling behaviors and disorders. Yale Medicine research has made advances in understanding the effects of such opioid antagonist medications. These have found that the brain acts similarly during monetary reward processing in individuals with gambling disorder as it does in people with binge-eating, alcohol-use and tobacco-use disorders. The Center, directed by Yale Medicine psychiatrist Marc Potenza, MD, PhD, has conducted the first brain imaging studies on people with gambling problems. Yale’s Center of Excellence in Gambling Research, one of two such centers in the nation, is supported by the National Center for Responsible Gaming and conducts groundbreaking research into gambling disorder. ![]() Some people with gambling disorder find help with such groups as Gamblers Anonymous, a 12-step program dedicated to abstinence. Participants meet and share experiences, supporting each other in their efforts to abstain from gambling. However, most medication trials have been relatively short-term and have involved small sample sizes. The antidepressant escitalopram may help decrease anxiety and problem-gambling severity in people with co-occurring anxiety and gambling disorders. Certain opioid antagonists, which may reduce cravings for alcohol, have been found in randomized clinical trials to be superior to placebo in the treatment of gambling disorders. There are multiple potential pharmaceutical approaches to treatment, although no medication has an FDA indication for gambling disorder. Another method is motivational interviewing, which helps to turn ambivalence about quitting into motivation to quit and can help patients combat urges to gamble. Individual and group approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps to identify and modify damaging thinking and behavior, can help people overcome the problem. There are three main forms of interventions: ![]() Rely on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling.Have jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling.Lie to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling.After losing money gambling, often return another day to get even (“chasing” one’s losses).Often gamble when feeling distressed (e.g.having persistent thoughts of reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble) Are often preoccupied with gambling (e.g.Have made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling.Are restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling.Need to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement.People who, over a 12-month period meet four of these nine criteria devised by the American Psychiatric Association, are considered to have a gambling disorder: People who tend to be restless, easily bored, extremely hard-working, or very competitive may be at greater risk of developing gambling disorder. A 2008 study showed that people with psychiatric disorders are 17 times more likely to develop gambling problems. ![]() People with gambling disorder often abuse alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs, have mood or personality disorders such as schizophrenia or antisocial personality disorder, or have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s estimated that a gambling disorder’s development is 50 percent due to genetic factors and 50 percent due to environmental factors. Yale research is working to understand the connection between genetics and gambling disorders. People who have a parent with a gambling problem are more likely to have problems too. College students also gamble at higher rates than the general population. Two to 7% of youths develop a gambling disorder, compared with about 1% of adults, and many gambling disorders begin in adolescence. ![]() Men appear more drawn to such strategic forms of gambling as card games or sports betting, while women tend to prefer such non-strategic forms as bingo or slot machines. Men are more likely to have gambling problems than women, but the disparity seems to have narrowed in recent years. Risk factors for gambling disorder may include: ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |