Pathological gambling and substance use disorders

Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2010 Sep;36(5):242-7. doi: 10.3109/00952991003721118.

Abstract

Background: Pathological gambling (CPG) has been considered as a behavioral addiction having similarities with substance use disorders (SUDs).

Objectives and methods: Current conceptualizations of addiction, as well as experimental studies of PG and SUDs, are reviewed in order to provide a perspective on tbe areas of convergence between addictive behaviors in PG and SUDs.

Results: Shared features exist in diagnostic, clinical, physiological, and behavioral domains. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIELLTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Similarities between PG and SUDs have important implicatiol1s for categorizing, assessing, preventing and treating both PO and SUDs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Comorbidity
  • Gambling / diagnosis
  • Gambling / drug therapy
  • Gambling / epidemiology*
  • Gambling / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / metabolism
  • Substance-Related Disorders / diagnosis
  • Substance-Related Disorders / drug therapy
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / genetics

Substances

  • Neurotransmitter Agents