Gambling problems can start at any point in a person’s life. There are three problem gambler types. Those who are behaviorally conditioned, where a recreation turned into a problem. Those who are emotionally vulnerable due to an adverse childhood or other experience, thereby using gambling to stop an emotional pain. Third, those who are antisocial, ADHD, or impulsive.

Addiction qualities are

• Repetitive or compulsive engagement in a behavior despite adverse consequence
• Diminished control over the problematic behavior
• An appetitive urge or craving prior to the engaging the problematic behavior.
• A hedonist quality during the behavior.

Services

Addiction therapy

Bemer

EPAT Therapy

Hydrotherapy

Gambling Warning signs

Have you ever felt the need to bet more and more money?

• Have you ever lied to people important to you about how much you gambled?
• Have you repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop gambling?
• Do you gamble as a way of escaping emotional or physical pain?
• Have you ever relied on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling?
• Have you ever jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job or career opportunity because of gambling?
• Have you borrowed (or stole) money to finance your gambling?
• Have you gambled to get money with which to pay debts or to solve other financial problems?
• Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?
• Do you gamble to try to get your money back?

Gambling has been shown to change dopamine levels. Dopamine is the reward neurotransmitter that is elevated while playing. Once dopamine goes up, then it gets replenished and needs more stimulation to get return the reward. Other pathways can also be affected, such as serotonin levels that effect mood and sleep. Gluco-cortisol levels are also increased, thereby increase heart rate and stressing your adrenal glands. The frontal lobe of the brain can also be affected, leading to response inhibition, cognitive and verbal issues, and even planning and decision issues.

There are no current prescriptions to treat gambling. Naturopathically, we focus on the balancing biochemistry rather than physiology. We accomplish this with Nutrient IVs and supplementation designed to support raising and balancing neurotransmitters. We find that once the brain’s biochemistry is balanced, then people can respond more effectively to cognitive and behavioral counselling techniques. We also encourage attendance in gamblers anonymous.