Last month, an Australian medical journal published findings that suggested a drug called Naltrexone could aid in the treatment of problem gambling. The Liberals have caught wind of the development and want to use the drug as part their strategy to deal with problem gambling rates across the country. Naltrexone is most commonly used to help individuals who are struggling with drug addiction and alcoholism.
It blocks the pleasure which occurs in the patient’s brain whenever they drink or take drugs, helping to suppress their desire to do so. The drug has also been proven effective in treating behavioural problems like kleptomania. The Greens believe that the drug will have a similar result for those addicted to gambling.
They hope that it can be used to block the pleasure that gambling addicts obtain when a big win occurs; however, some medical professionals do not believe it is that easy. According to Steve Hambleton of the Australian Medical Association, there are other factors affecting an individual’s development of a gambling problem.
While drugs may treat the addiction itself, there are many other underlying factors that contribute to the development of the addiction, which need to be dealt with using therapy.