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PROBLEM gamblers in Finland are to trial a treatment normally used to reverse heroin overdoses.

Up to 3 per cent of people have gambling disorders. These people seem to experience a strong rush of dopamine in the brain when they gamble, making it difficult to stop.

Next week, a trial in Finland will begin testing the use of a nasal spray in 130 problem gamblers. The spray contains naloxone, a drug that blocks dopamine release. For three months, half the volunteers will use the spray daily, while the others will be given a placebo instead.

The naloxone nasal spray was originally approved in the US for reversing overdoses of opioid drugs, which also trigger dopamine release.

Previous studies to treat gambling disorders using naltrexone – a drug that acts in a similar way – have found modest benefits, if any. But this may be because naltrexone pills are slow to absorb. The naloxone spray might be more effective at helping gamblers kick the habit.

This article appeared in print under the headline “Nasal spray for gambling addiction”