Smart TMS’s CEO Gerard Barnes was invited to Penny Smith’s Sunday Breakfast show on Talk Radio to discuss gambling and its effects on the economy and society.
The British Medical Journal says:
“…the economic cost of gambling-related harm has been significantly underestimated”
Experts call for a new tax on the gambling industry as there are an estimated 430,000 problem gamblers in the UK and a lack of funding to help them.
Gerard Barnes was invited to give his expert opinion on the matter as CEO of Smart TMS.
Smart TMS treat clients with mental health conditions and addiction using transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment which uses electromagnetism to stimulate the brain in the specific areas of focus. He explains how this treatment could work in the case of gambling:
“…the way the brain works, we’re all wired – our brains are wired – to seek out pleasure and evolution has meant that certain things are cues for pleasure, for reward as scientists talk about it, in our brains. So typically for most of us that’s food, social interaction, sex – because those are the kind of survival instincts that we need.
“In behavioural addictions like gambling and potentially like internet addiction (social media, porn, those sorts of things) the reward systems are hijacked if you like and the brain circuits; the brain rewires itself, and so the reward as you quite rightly say, the reward or stimulus that you need to get the same level of reward gets bigger and bigger and bigger. So you need to stake more money – in a behavioural addiction like gambling you stake more money. In a chemical addiction like cocaine you just require more of the drug.
“…The element of the addiction that TMS particularly helps with is the craving – it’s that desire to go back and have another bet.”
Talk Radio asked whether they were seeing younger gambling addicts than the traditional stereotypes would suggest. Gerard replied:
“You’re absolutely right. Everybody’s image of gambling is of the betting shop and now with internet gambling it’s much more widespread and yes, the ages at which gambling addictions kick in is getting lower.”
Penny Smith asked Gerard what he thought should be done about the rise in gambling addiction. He replied:
“It’s a social problem isn’t it, like some of the other ones which we have made significant change in over the last decade, because these things take decades don’t they. Like drink driving I’m thinking of, smoking to an extent. It’s systematic or systemic response that we need that tackles it at the individual level and at the societal level.
“So I think the BMJ article was talking about increasing taxes on the gaming companies. The impact of advertising needs to be looked at – late night TV as I’m sure you are aware is all gambling adverts.”
Gerard pointed out that in the past, cigarette companies sponsored sports events and suggested a similar approach would see gambling company sponsorship reduce in the future.
Penny Smith asked how to help someone in your family who may be struggling with a gambling problem. Gerard replied:
“…with all addictions the patient needs to want to change. They need to want to change that behaviour. And it’s very common in addictions to want to change but then actually it’s not within your core that you really want to change. But there will hopefully come a time when they really want to change.
“Addiction is a very powerful disease. It’s a recognised mental health condition it’s not a moral failing. So if they want to get better, then as a family member you need to try and support them with that. Encourage them to join a 12 step programme. Sadly the NHS gambling services are pretty limited and there aren’t the drugs or what have you so I think yes, by all means talk to your GP; but probably talk to Gamblers’ Anonymous.
“CBT – cognitive behavioural therapy – can help and then consider something like our offering at Smart TMS. Transcranial magnetic stimulation really works.”
Listen to the Interview
Listen on Talk Radio https://talkradio.co.uk/radio/listen-again/1557640800# section 08.00-8.30, starts at 06:10 minutes.
TMS Gambling Treatment
Transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment can help gamblers to break the cycle of addiction by dealing with the cravings.
SMART TMS CLINICS
Smart TMS was established in 2015, dedicated to providing TMS treatment in London at their South Kensington/Brompton Cross centre. The company opened a second clinic in Birmingham in September 2017 and also has a base in Northampton. The first Irish clinic was opened in Dublin in October 2017 and in 2018, Smart TMS opened further locations in Manchester, Bristol and Havant (South Coast).
CONTACT US
For any other queries or for patients wishing to book an appointment at one of our UK clinics, please contact us:
- Tel: 0345 222 5678
- Email: info@smarttms.co.uk
Irish patients may contact Our Dublin Clinic direct on:
- Email: info@smarttms.ie
- Tel: 353 (01) 254 2514
- Website: www.smarttms.ie