Neurobiology of Addiction

Addiction is a disorder characterized by poorly controlled substance use despite negative health and social consequences. Additionally, the only behavioral addiction recognized in the main text of the DSM-5, gambling disorder, presents similarly to many substance addictions with respect to the underlying neurobiology and poorly controlled gambling despite negative consequences (e.g., financial, familial problems). This review first provides an overview of the diagnostic criteria for addictive disorders—both substance and nonsubstance—and subsequently reviews the extant literature examining epidemiology, including global prevalence and co-occurring disorders, as well as differences in addicted and nonaddicted groups with respect to genotype, brain function, and neurochemical systems. Last, the prognosis, quality of life, and current treatment strategies for addictions are discussed. The review also includes tables and figures to supplement the text, summarizes important points, and provides visual representations of tasks used to study cognitive aspects of addictions and addiction pathophysiology. This review contains 5 figures, 6 tables, and 81 references. Key words: brain function, cognitive function, epidemiology, functional magnetic resonance imaging, genetics, neurochemistry, positron emission tomography, treatment

On the efficiency of Nordic state-controlled gambling companies

Aims: This article assesses the efficiency of six Nordic state-controlled gambling companies in raising revenue for their host societies, and the terms under which they operate. Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway have established gambling monopolies on the grounds that they help to prevent fraud and money laundering, and channel proceeds to their host societies. Within the last decade, Denmark (2012) and Sweden (2019) have opened substantial parts of their gambling markets to competition, whereas Finland and Norway continue to uphold monopolies. Design: The analysis is based on publicly disclosed income statements and financial reporting concerning Nordic gambling operators for the year 2017. We calculated how much they contribute to societies, what are the costs, and how these figures compare among the companies. Results: We found that Veikkaus raises the highest amounts of surplus to society both in absolute terms and in relative numbers, and that, overall, the companies vary in efficiency. We discuss the reasons for these differences, focusing on their respective product portfolios, institutional frameworks and competitive market positions. Conclusions: The results problematise the measurement of efficiency in gambling companies in monetary terms. Efficiency depends on high total consumption with little regard to the principles of responsible gambling and the prevention of gambling problems. Nordic countries have a strong commitment to the protection of health, but in the case of gambling, protecting the monopoly seems to outweigh harm prevention.

Neurobiology of Addiction

Addiction is a disorder characterized by poorly controlled substance use despite negative health and social consequences. Additionally, the only behavioral addiction recognized in the main text of the DSM-5, gambling disorder, presents similarly to many substance addictions with respect to the underlying neurobiology and poorly controlled gambling despite negative consequences (e.g., financial, familial problems). This review first provides an overview of the diagnostic criteria for addictive disorders—both substance and nonsubstance—and subsequently reviews the extant literature examining epidemiology, including global prevalence and co-occurring disorders, as well as differences in addicted and nonaddicted groups with respect to genotype, brain function, and neurochemical systems. Last, the prognosis, quality of life, and current treatment strategies for addictions are discussed. The review also includes tables and figures to supplement the text, summarizes important points, and provides visual representations of tasks used to study cognitive aspects of addictions and addiction pathophysiology. This review contains 5 figures, 5 tables, and 80 references. Key words: brain function, cognitive function, epidemiology, functional magnetic resonance imaging, genetics, neurochemistry, positron emission tomography, treatment

Nordic gambling markets and the possibilities for state-level control1

Gambling has gone through considerable changes during recent decades with new forms of gambling, increased turnover, and increasingly extensive marketing of different modes of gambling. At the same time, the monopolistic structure of state-controlled gambling has been questioned by media and private actors on national and European Union (EU) levels. The focus has increasingly ended up on legal interpretations of the possibilities of and the obstacles for state regulation, which has recently placed Nordic gambling monopolies under scrutiny. The purpose of this article is to clarify the legal arrangements for gambling in the Nordic countries and also how the different countries have chosen to react to increased pressure for deregulation of this area. The article describes how gambling is regulated in the five different countries and analyses what parts of the legal framework of the EU are a threat to the existing gambling systems in these countries.