A compulsive gambler in England who lost the equivalent of almost $20,000 in U.S. money has had radical brain surgery in an attempt to cure his addiction; it is being reported by the Daily Mail.
Raymond Mandale, 58, of Workington, Cumbria, had a neuro-stimulator fitted to his brain; according to the newspaper. The $59,904 surgery took six hours; it is being reported.
The device, controlled by batteries, sends electrical pulses to the area that stimulates the area of his brain that desires him to gamble. The device is usually used to treat patients who have Parkinson’s disease.
According to the Daily Mail, the surgery was paid for by the National Health Service.
“I was out of control for a year,” Mandale told the Daily Mail, who is married and has two children. “When I was gambling, I begged, borrowed, stole and I lied.”
Mandale said this was his last resort; he had even tried medication.
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