BOTTOMING OUT GAMBLING ADDICTION IN LAS VEGAS ILLNESS THEORY GAINING GROUND Researchers find similar disorders inside the heads of alcoholics and drug addicts — and those who have a compulsion to gamble

Experts who study gambling addiction remain a long way from knowing why people develop gambling problems. But researchers now know what happens inside the brains of gambling addicts that fuels the addiction, and how best to help them.

A growing collection of research has found that the most afflicted have the kinds of biological brain disorders that are found among drug and alcohol abusers.

Advances in understanding gambling addiction are the result of functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI, which allows the brains of gambling addicts, non-addicted gamblers and nongamblers to be scanned and compared.

Before the relatively recent use of MRI machines, scientists could only view peoples behavior, dissect the brains of the deceased or study brain chemistry by drawing fluid from the body. Functional magnetic resonance imaging allows real-time study of the brain by measuring

ABOUT THIS THREE-PART SERIES

SUNDAY: Tony McDew not only recognized that he had a gambling problem, but set out to document it with his video camera, hoping that sharing his experience could help others. When the jackpot hits, Òit feels like youÕre getting high.Ó And when it doesnÕt? ÒYou want to crucify yourself.Ó

TODAY: The mere sight of a slot machine can trigger a chemical response in the gambling addictÕs brain in the same way the thought of cocaine stimulates a drug addict. Some researchers are exploring the use of drugs to treat addicts. Robert Hunter offers old-fashioned group and one-on-one therapy.

TUESDAY: When designer Si Redd realized the overwhelming attraction of his video poker machine, he advised addicts to get help — and leave Nevada if necessary. Today the role of the machine in feeding addiction is debated. At some casinos in Canada, gamblers can tell slot machines to limit their play.