True to the U.S. medical model, scientists are throwing yet another drug into the mix to handle a problem that has nothing to do with a physical condition. This time it’s giving gamblers Naltrexone to help them quit gambling. While Naltrexone might not be addictive in itself, it could possible lead to taking other drugs that could cause a prescription drug addiction problem.

How could this happen? Because Naltrexone suppresses opiate receptors. In the words of the researchers considering using Naltrexone for gambling, proper functionality of opiate receptors is “a crucial step in the pathway for processing dopamine, the pleasure neurotransmitter that activates the brain’s sense of reward.” Okay, so how’s that going to make you feel? In a word – miserable.

Naltrexone also has a number of side effects including nausea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety and sleepiness.

Add these to feeling miserable and you’ve got someone who might just decide they’re going to take some prescription drugs that make them feel better. And, as they’ve already exhibited addictive behavior, chances are they going to wind up with a prescription drug addiction problem instead of a gambling problem.

As with all addictions, it’s better to get down to the bottom of the gambling problem and address it so the person no longer feels that irresistible compulsion. If they can do that, their lives will be improved without doing something that may lead them to prescription drug addiction and the eventual need to go into a drug addiction treatment center to handle yet another addiction.

Popularity: 10% [?]