Medication could treat gambling addiction

2009-12-14 14:45:22 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Medical News, News)

A new study suggests medication for substance abuse may be beneficial in the treatment of gambling addiction.

Pathological gambling may be treated with medications used for substance addictions according to new research.

U.S. (WiredPRNews.com) – A new study suggests medications used to treat addictions to substances may be effective for treating gambling addiction as well. As reported by HealthDay News, the research findings propose pathological gambling could be treated with medications designed for impulsive or urge driven behaviors.

Dr. Jon Grant, author of the study and associate psychiatry professor at the University of Minnesota, is quoted by HealthDay News as stating in college news release of the findings, “By understanding these different subtypes [of gamblers], we are able to target the core biology of the illness with individualized treatment… When we look at pathological gambling as an addiction and try to understand the sense of urge and inhibitions, we are able to target the treatment with medication more effectively.”

As noted in the report, the study was recently presented at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology’s annual meeting.

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