Neurobehavioural Model of Pathological Gambling

Overview

Views of the professional community as regards problems of pathological gambling vary. Bothrecent psychiatric classification systems include pathological gambling into similar diagnosticcategories: ICD-10 into the group of Habit and Impulsive Disorders, DSM-IV among ImpulseControl Disorders not Elsewhere Classified. However, many features of pathological gambling(e.g. formulation of diagnostic criteria, characteristics of course and outcome and possibilities ofprevention and treatment) are resemble the OCD-spectrum disorders and, on the other hand,drug and alcohol dependence.Neurobiological studies postulate the dysregulation of serotonin, noradreneline and dopaminesystems in this disorder. The presented neurobehavioural model of pathological gambling supportsthe opinion of a close similarity of pathological gambling (and other so-called non-substanceaddictions) and psychoactive substance dependence with all theoretical and therapeutic consequences.The gambling behaviour can be viewed as an addictive disorder – without the confoundingvariables usually involved in addictions to exogenous substance. On the other hand, pathologicalgamblers are often treated in programmes modeled on addictive disorders.

Key words:
pathological gambling, impulse control disorders, substance dependence, non-substanceaddiction, neurobehavioural model.