Gambling & Heroin Addictions Gambling addiction is an urge
to continuously gamble despite harmful negative consequences or a
desire to stop. Heroin addiction is a physical and psychological
dependence on any form of heroin after continuous use.
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Contributing Factors GamblingHeroin Behavioural/ Mood disorders
Substance Abuse ADHD Depression Common in younger/middle aged
people Family history of addiction Mental disorder Peer pressure
Difficult home life Anxiety, depression, loneliness Other addictive
drugs
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Brain Activity While Gambling This is what a person sitting in
a casino may hear. The brains of people anticipating a win at the
roulette table appear to react much like those taking euphoria-
inducing drugs(ABC News). The sounds and atmosphere surrounding a
compulsive gambler is addicting. In a recent study, the blood flow
to the brain after a big win was similar to drug addicts infusing
cocaine.
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Brain Activity While Gambling Cont. In our brain, there is a
series of circuits that are called the reward system. This system
links various scattered brain regions involved in memory, movement,
pleasure and motivation. When stimulated, the neurons release
dopamine, which gives the body satisfaction and encourages a habit
to form. After continuous release of this hormone, the body makes
less of it, and the brain craves more of it. For a gambler, this
means participating in riskier ventures. Experts used to think of
addiction as dependency on a chemical, they now define it as
repeatedly pursuing a rewarding experience despite serious
repercussions.
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Brain Activity While on Heroin When an addict takes heroin,
endorphins are released. Endorphins are feel good chemicals that
are released in the brain when the body experiences pain or stress.
Endorphins flood the space between nerve cells and usually inhibit
neurons from firing, thus creating a numbing effect. The person
feels good, high, or euphoric, and feels relief from pain.
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Cycle Of Addiction for Gambling Experiences a series of wins
More frequent play and higher expectations of winning Frequent
play, But frequent losses Financial difficulties Chasing Losses Low
income, increasing debt Can lead to crime to obtain money to
continue gambling
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Cycle of Addiction for Heroin
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PSA
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Works Cited " Compulsive Gambling." - Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d.
Web. 01 May 2015.. "Stages of Compulsive Gambling." Addiction
Treatment Elements Drug Rehab Treatment Centers. N.p., 19 Oct.
2009. Web. 01 May 2015.. "Study: Gambling Affects Brain Like
Drugs." ABC News. ABC News Network, n.d. Web. 04 May 2015.. "How
the Brain Gets Addicted to Gambling." Scientific American Global
RSS. N.p., 15 Oct. 2013. Web. 04 May 2015.. "Problem Gambling."
Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 05 May 2015.. "Heroin
Addiction and Abuse: Health Effects and Signs of Use." WebMD.
WebMD, n.d. Web. 05 May 2015.
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/tc/heroin-topic-overviewhttp://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/tc/heroin-topic-overview
"Drug Addiction." Risk Factors. Mayo Clinic, n.d. Web. 05 May
2015.. "Heroin In The Brain." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 06 May 2015.