Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Huron County Health Unit
Parkinson’s Treatment Linked to Gambling
Huron County – A recent study says
people taking medications for Parkinson’s disease
may be at a high risk of developing a gambling
problem. The medications are given to decrease
the uncontrollable movements that are associated
with Parkinson’s disease. The drugs containing
dopamine include Mirapex,
Levodopa and Carbidopa.
Research shows that people who are affected
rarely gambled before taking the drugs. Frequent
gambling started suddenly. When the dopamine
drug was stopped, the craving and urge to gamble
was gone almost immediately.
Not everyone in the study was affected by
excessive gambling. Some people had other
unusual behaviours. Shopping addiction,
compulsive eating and hypersexuality were also
linked with the dopamine drugs. However, those
behaviours were not as common as problem
gambling.
More studies are planned to look at the
relationship between dopamine drugs and
Parkinson’s disease. Scientists hope the results of
these studies will explain why some patients are
more at risk of developing unusual behaviours
than others.
A gambling addiction has a significant impact on
a person’s life. The gambler sometimes gambles
large amounts of money. Their relationships are
also negatively affected. Identifying the problem
early is the key to preventing the devastating
effects of excessive gambling.
Physicians and health care providers may not ask
their patients about their gambling activity or
other unusual behaviours. If you are on any of the
dopamine drugs, talk to your family physician
about any concerns you have.
If you have a gambling addiction and need help
to deal with your problem, you can call Huron
Addiction Services at 519-482-3416 or 1-877-837-
6143. This is a free service and all calls are
confidential.
TO FIND OUT MORE...
Our media contact is: Barbara Leavitt,
Communications Co-ordinator, Huron County
Health Unit, 519-482-3416 or toll-free 1-877-837-
6143.
The Communications Co-ordinator will connect
you to our spokesperson on this topic: Gail Huber,
Addictions Counselor, Huron Addiction Services,
519-482-3416, ext. 2275
|