It's ruined my life': Hundreds tell BBC how medication triggered gambling

[terrific]

If that has happened to a lot of people, I think these medical professionals need to add that as a side effect.
I guess most of these people that are specifically medicating for their major sickness haven't heard that there's an adverse effect after taking the drug.
So, it's no longer a conspiracy theory that there are drugs and vaccines that can cause harmful effects to the patients who take those dosages, etc.

[Kelvinid]

This news is very concerning. While some have been taking dopamine drugs to manage their low blood pressure, low heart rate and cardiac arrest, but little did we know that this dopamine medication also enables people especially with ADHD to gain more motivation to start and finish their tasks.

So if these people have been expose to gambling, expect that it will even force them to gamble more because the dopamine level is too much. I don't think the doctors are unaware about this, they are definitely aware but all drugs have their own side effects, if you are using them not to treat but to pursue gambling, addiction will definitely developed in the long run.

I just hope this kind of medicine will be given high regards, and if it keeps creating negative side effects, its manufacturing and distribution should be stopped.

[qwertyup23]

This is worth to be read, it is not about drug addiction but about drug that is prescribed by a doctor to their patients.

One mentioned is a women that developed Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) during pregnancy that become worsen over time (a condition thought to be linked to levels of iron). She was prescribed Ropinirole, a drug that can increase dopamine activity in the brain.

Not just this woman, several people have noticed that such during that increase the dopamine activity like this drug caused them to gamble more, leading to gambling addiction. Not only that, but also the people can develop hypersexuality and be having extreme urge to have sex. The drug also caused increase in shopping.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce948d9gxevo

A simple look up on what dopamine can do would have revealed to them that it increases their chances of engaging in risk taking activities that can in ways bring some kind of pleasure and satisfaction, most drugs that lead to addiction are related to increased levels of dopamine as well. The drug was made to increase mobility by increasing energy and also probably causing a sense of restlessness to keep the patient active, it was bound to bring about the increase in risk taking activities but there is no way gambling would have been the first thing to come to a doctor's mind, increased sex drive is more understandable in order to bring about the pleasure but not gambling. It's really a regrettable side effect.

I would have to agree with you. These are the side effects of medication that many should have understood when they took it. Sure, it gave them high dosage of dopamine which triggered some events leading to gambling. However, they should not blame the doctor for this given that this is part of the treatment for their syndrome.

If the side effect of that medication is indeed truly threatening, then it would have been banned. Additionally, each person has their own physical manifestation of the side effect and not everyone engaged into gambling.

I think this drugs is only going to increase whatever one has an interest in or maybe something that one has been practicing and if kept on as the same with the use of the drugs they could now develop a new sense of addiction or they may think that it’s the only thing that gives them joy meanwhile it’s the effect of the drugs that is affecting them. I guess now I believe we are at risk just for being alive.

This could be a possibility that is often overlooked by many. Patients that have a history of gambling or engaging into risky tasks are triggered by the side effects of the medication. This awakened their urge in gambling once again which negatively impact more the outcome rather than the reward of the drug.

[Josefjix]

What an interesting topic.

The victims took the medication above the prescribed period of intake because he loves the feeling the meds was giving to him, maybe the doctor failed to let him stop the medication, you know, sometimes it will take 2-3 months to maintain a meds to be able to solve such problems, but exceeding these months will results into a severe and unknown side effect.

From my deep thought, gambling has to do with fun and entertainment, so the hormone in the brain that is responsible for having fun has been altered by this med causing the the patient to constantly think about gambling, shopping and other stuffs that bring fun.

That's how it works.

[Nothingtodo]

If gambling addiction increases with the increase in the level of dopamine secretion in the brain, then of course, taking all the drugs that increase the release of dopamine in the brain should increase the addiction to gambling. Gambling is mainly influenced by emotions or feelings, due to which emotions or feelings increase when dopamine secretion in the brain increases. Perhaps this is the reason why it has been alleged that gambling addiction increases with the use of drugs that increase dopamine secretion.

[AVE5]

Not just this woman, several people have noticed that such during that increase the dopamine activity like this drug caused them to gamble more, leading to gambling addiction. Not only that, but also the people can develop hypersexuality and be having extreme urge to have sex. The drug also caused increase in shopping.

Wait a minute, does that implies that this drug increase the anxiety of ones indulgence like a high urge for pleasures and events?
Well, aside for the illicit drugs, I'm much of the drugs being contraband today's was out of abuse otherwise when taken according to the doctors prescription won't be so effective as it mislead those consumers who misbehaves at the course of taking it.
However, when it comes to gambling, it's not advisable for gamblers to take any drug that could have mental effect in them otherwise, they'd end up regretting aftermath.

[AmoreJaz]

Not just this woman, several people have noticed that such during that increase the dopamine activity like this drug caused them to gamble more, leading to gambling addiction. Not only that, but also the people can develop hypersexuality and be having extreme urge to have sex. The drug also caused increase in shopping.

Wait a minute, does that implies that this drug increase the anxiety of ones indulgence like a high urge for pleasures and events?
Well, aside for the illicit drugs, I'm much of the drugs being contraband today's was out of abuse otherwise when taken according to the doctors prescription won't be so effective as it mislead those consumers who misbehaves at the course of taking it.
However, when it comes to gambling, it's not advisable for gamblers to take any drug that could have mental effect in them otherwise, they'd end up regretting aftermath.

I believe, this will depend on the person. He can have this hyperactivity but he can course thru in another activity and not gambling. Let us say the drugs have really influence to the activity of the person, but I would say, that person has the free will to choose which activity he will go into. So for me, one should not blame the drugs in getting addicted to something because a person has their own choice what to do in their life. It is his choice in life why they are in that situation. Because you can always choose a better path and be a hyperactive about like doing climbing, hiking, running or any other worthwhile activities.
So in my opinion, don't blame the drugs. It is the person himself who decide what he will do with this dopamine rush in his system. He can always have better options and not go to the negative activities.

[Churchillvv]

I think this drugs is only going to increase whatever one has an interest in or maybe something that one has been practicing and if kept on as the same with the use of the drugs they could now develop a new sense of addiction or they may think that it’s the only thing that gives them joy meanwhile it’s the effect of the drugs that is affecting them. I guess now I believe we are at risk just for being alive.

This could be a possibility that is often overlooked by many. Patients that have a history of gambling or engaging into risky tasks are triggered by the side effects of the medication. This awakened their urge in gambling once again which negatively impact more the outcome rather than the reward of the drug.

You’re so right! Maybe people should consider the side effect more than the possible treatment it gives because before it got pop out this much it probably has ruined more lives than we can imagine, the drugs in my opinion like I said and you also quoted that it probably just a trigger to and already existing behavior or hormones in the body. But if that is the case then we have some positive addictions, will that also help them become more addicted to being successful, that’s anyone topic for another day.

[Cantsay]

I was quite fascinated with the story and it's no secret how medication can affect one's psychological behavior and personality. The funny thing is that, those who have been affected and have done damage, can hardly find a way to be compensated, or their wrong doings corrected.

I actually think that perhaps the drug revealed a hidden fantasy and fetish for many of the victims,  because I wonder how the lady started gambling excessively, if she never knew how to gamble already. She could have done something else besides gambling if she doesn't understand how to stake and gamble.

My take is that, she used to gamble probably occasionally, but after she started taking the medication the reward center of her brain (Nucleus accumbens) triggered that dependency or addiction which made her to gamble excessively.

If she had never gambled before in her life the drug wouldn’t have made her addicted to gambling, it would have made her addicted to something that she’s already doing that als brings some sort of satisfaction or entertainment to her.

Noticed how she also got addicted to shopping? That’s a clue that it was her usual habits that just got potentiated.

[Makus]

You see some Durgs that are being prescribed to you will even end up changing Human behaviour not because the person is bad but because of the kind of drug the person take. When the dopamine is too high in human system yes it can push you into gambling , over shopping and you will be active sexually with the person even noticing it early.

That's why it's good to be talking to your doctor and let them monitoring such person because getting treatment suppose to heal your illness and not to spoil lives and again always follow doctor's prescription before taking any drugs or medication

I agree with you, there are certain medications that does the work or function why they are taken but after a while they end up causing a disturbance to body hormones especially in women. These drugs are chemicals and most of them aren't really tested properly for them to know if they cause any harm or ar healthy for humans to use. Before dopamine pushes you into gambling you must already be  gambler for that to happen first, if you don't gamble there is no way it can suddenly induce gambling nature into you.

[Odusko]

A doctor may have innocently prescribed this drug without knowing the woman's involvement in gambling, most doctors ask their patients a few questions during drug prescriptions and this is to prevent Cases like this, the patient keeps some information away from their doctors and this can affect the way the side effects of drugs are managed, if you take drug that increases your excitement level it definitely increases your involvement in any of your leisure activities and in this case gambling becomes the only entertainment for the patient without Doctor knowledge.

[Emjay24]

One mentioned is a women that developed Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) during pregnancy that become worsen over time (a condition thought to be linked to levels of iron). She was prescribed Ropinirole, a drug that can increase dopamine activity in the brain.

Not just this woman, several people have noticed that such during that increase the dopamine activity like this drug caused them to gamble more, leading to gambling addiction. Not only that, but also the people can develop hypersexuality and be having extreme urge to have sex. The drug also caused increase in shopping.

I get that these drugs can alter your emotions and cause a spike in your ability to take risks while it seems very normal and all of that. I still have my reservations on the personality of such a person even before taking those drugs. A lose person would end up getting more loosened and blame it on situational complications.
A very good example was my brother who always gets frustrated easily and has lower emotional control. When things got very rough for him, he couldn't hold his control and turned to drugs until this very day and constantly blames it on his financial condition. People should take discipline seriously and have a strong personality so they don't easily give in when they're pressured situationally.

[Coyster]

Most drugs have side effects. These effects can range from mild to severe, and i really don't know how these people feel, but from the description, i believe it has a severe reaction on the patients.

That said, i am not sure if it is everyone that took this drug who got into one addiction or the other, but i also understand as well that the human body can react differently to the same substance. I believe that if you feel the urge to engage in activities that's not best for you after following the doctors prescription, you ought to report back to them and complain.

[Smartvirus]

A doctor may have innocently prescribed this drug without knowing the woman's involvement in gambling, most doctors ask their patients a few questions during drug prescriptions and this is to prevent Cases like this, the patient keeps some information away from their doctors and this can affect the way the side effects of drugs are managed, if you take drug that increases your excitement level it definitely increases your involvement in any of your leisure activities and in this case gambling becomes the only entertainment for the patient without Doctor knowledge.

Do you really believe that, that a doctor or pharmacist would prescribe a drug and wouldn’t know how this drug might affect you as a person? Such doctor or pharmacist should have their license revoked.

I get it that there are those that might be resilient towards submitting to their urges and might actually do better than others under the influence of these drugs but, you surely would feel impacted in a way and though it might not lead to an addiction, you would show signs of it.

[uneng]

Those are symptoms of uncontrolled impulsivity and there are drugs to control that as well. That is how bipolar disorder is controlled, for an example, as people who have this ilness tend to express hipersexuality while being unable to control their expenses. It's not only devastating for the individuals themselves, but also for people who live around them.

In case this medication is triggering such disfunctional behaviors, it can be stopped and replaced by something else or it can be used with another medication which aims ceasing the side effect of the primary drug, which is impulsivity.

[Hispo]

Out of curiosity I decided to do a little bit of search on this drug, using a popular webpages about medicine, which also allows people to submit their experiences and reviews on the drugs they take. Most of comments were positive and it seems the medication indeed helps a lot of people with Restless legs syndrome, however, I also found a couple of bad reviews in which people claimed to suffer from compulsive gambling because of the medicine itself.

I will leave the source and a couple of example of those cases in which people got negatively affected and even committed crimes in order to continue gambling.

One truly needs to be careful with whatever one ends up taking these days and be aware of side effects.

Source: https://www.drugs.com/comments/pramipexole/mirapex.html

[viljy]

This desire to stuff people up to their necks with medicines is typical for the countries of the "golden billion". A medicine is prescribed for every sneeze. Psychotropic drugs and narcotic painkillers are especially abused. It's just in the interests of Big Pharma. They are absolutely indifferent to the health of citizens and even more so to the consequences of using medicines. So it's not surprising.

[jcojci]

I just thinks continuous the use of chemicals can leads to addiction. Prescribed medication shouldn't be taken for life, but only to manages pain.

I don't know much about drugs or pharmaceuticals. But taking drugs for certain periods of time will clearly gives an effect on the body. But if we are not involving with gambling, we shouldn't becomes addicted to it.

[ZeroVinsonN]

This is worth to be read, it is not about drug addiction but about drug that is prescribed by a doctor to their patients.

One mentioned is a women that developed Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) during pregnancy that become worsen over time (a condition thought to be linked to levels of iron). She was prescribed Ropinirole, a drug that can increase dopamine activity in the brain.

Not just this woman, several people have noticed that such during that increase the dopamine activity like this drug caused them to gamble more, leading to gambling addiction. Not only that, but also the people can develop hypersexuality and be having extreme urge to have sex. The drug also caused increase in shopping.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce948d9gxevo

A simple look up on what dopamine can do would have revealed to them that it increases their chances of engaging in risk taking activities that can in ways bring some kind of pleasure and satisfaction, most drugs that lead to addiction are related to increased levels of dopamine as well. The drug was made to increase mobility by increasing energy and also probably causing a sense of restlessness to keep the patient active, it was bound to bring about the increase in risk taking activities but there is no way gambling would have been the first thing to come to a doctor's mind, increased sex drive is more understandable in order to bring about the pleasure but not gambling. It's really a regrettable side effect.

Dopamine is not bad for the human body. It increases our attention , memory and learning ability. But it  becomes bad when there is excess dopamine release. And the final stage of this is addiction. And it can be, addiction to drugs , gambling or social media. Excess dopamine  release can cause any of these.
I agree with you that excess dopamine release will only  cause gambling addiction, it does not seem credible to me. If someone is involved in gambling  and takes the medicine mentioned by @_act_, then there is a possibility of increasing gambling addiction. But why would a common person only develop gambling addiction as a result of taking a medicine ?

Exactly, the human body already secrets dopamine on a regulated level on it's own and only requires an external infusion if the natural secretion is hindered in anyway, it serves alot of really good functions in our body so if a drug that increases dopamine levels is given to a person with low dopamine levels then there is nothing necessarily wrong with that, it's regrettable that it led to somebody becoming a gambling addict but chances are that the person already had a certain level of gambling tendency before taking the drug and all the drug did was just facilitate what was already inside the person.

[Dr.Bitcoin_Strange]

I thought drugs are supposed to go through tests before they can be sold and then prescribed to patients that actually needs them, well, there's a possibility that these things won't be detected until they start reacting after been taken. I still don't understand how it is able to interfere with a persons psychological construct and make them addicted to gambling or any other thing. if that's the case it should be regulated.

Yes, those drugs are tested for the purpose it was made for but even as that, it can have some effect which might not be thought as the cause of that problem until later after when it becomes so obvious like it is now. Sometimes when getting prescription, the doctor would ask if I'm an ulcer patient and if I tell him or her yes, they will change a particular drugs, that's because they have already observed the effect of that drugs but there are some they might know initially.