It is no secret that problem gambling has become increasingly prevalent in Australia. While poker machine reform aims to give problem gamblers the power to control their spending, researchers are looking for new was to help addicted players that cannot control themselves.

For these gamblers, medication seems to be a viable option, and a new study by researchers at University of Melbourne and St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne will test this theory. Next year, gambling addiction will be re-classified. After being redefined, the compulsion will be considered very similar to alcohol and drug addiction.

As such, researchers believe that the same tactics that are being used to treat these dependencies can be applied to problem gambling, such as the drug Naltrexone. Commonly prescribed to heavy drug users, Naltrexone helps to dull cravings. It does this by reducing the euphoria that is brought on by taking part in compulsive behaviour.

Researchers believe that prescribing Naltrexone will help problem gamblers make more responsible decisions with regards to their spending, as the drug will make them feel less compelled to gamble. Several prior studies have tested problem gamblers’ tolerance of Naltrexone, but this will be the first time that the drug’s efficacy is trialled.

This means that University of Melbourne researchers will set out discover just how useful the drug can be in the treatment of problem gambling. "The real interest here is to understand how the Naltrexone treatment will be able to improve our participants' control over those functions,” says Simon Vogrin, a neuro-imaging expert at St. Vincent’s Hospital.

“It is more akin to what we see in patients who don't necessarily suffer from problems with gambling." The study will involve nine problem gamblers, who will be administered a dosage of Naltrexone before being monitored. Researchers will determine whether or not the drug affects the subjects’ ability to make decision when taking part in activities that are similar to gambling.

Should the drug prove to be effective in helping problem gamblers make healthier decisions, Naltrexone could be used as a viable treatment method, alongside counselling and other types of aid.

About the Author

George Anderson
Author George, has over 25+ years’ experience in the Pokies and Casinos industry throughout Australia and New Zealand. Loves to research new Pokies games on the block and follows announcements from top industry providers about their upcoming releases. As soon as a new interesting pokie game appears on his radar, George is there to check it out and give you the scoop before anyone else and tell you about all casino sites where can play the latest game. Before this gig, George worked as Pokie game tester, making him an ideal candidate for this genre of work. He is also an animal lover and a proud owner of three dogs.