NO
DRUG FOR GAMBLING

Topics: Addiction; Appetites; Gambling; Greed; Love of Money; Money; Self-control; Temptation; Vices

References: Psalm 103:2–5; John 8:34; Romans 6:16; Titus 2:11–12; 2 Peter 2:19; 1 John 1:9

In 1999, between 0.6 and 0.9 percent of Americans were compulsive gamblers who had a pathological addiction to gambling, reported the National Gambling Impact Study Commission. Seven years later, that figure rose to 1.1 percent, said the National Center for Responsible Gambling.

Other studies reveal higher percentages in areas where there are many casinos. For example, a white paper for the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling estimated addiction rates as high as 6.4 percent in Nevada and 4.9 percent in Mississippi. What’s more, the study says, these areas provide a reasonable reference for what all of America could become if the trend toward increased gambling continues.

For some people such statistics are a clear warning about the dangers of gambling in our culture. For others like executives at Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, they represent a potential gold mine. For years the San Diego-based drug maker has tried to produce a drug that could treat gambling addiction. If the lowest projections are correct, millions of people in the United States have a gambling problem. A pharmaceutical treatment for such an addiction would be worth billions of dollars.

Sadly, such a treatment will not be available anytime soon. In December 2006, Somaxon said the results of drug trials were not encouraging. Gamblers taking a prototype drug called nalmefene hydrochloride experienced meager improvements over those given placebos. They also suffered serious side effects, such insomnia, nausea, and dizziness.

“It’s a disappointment,” said Somaxon founder Jeff Raser.

—Timothy Lamer, “No Easy Cure,” World (December 23, 2006)