In the Pursuit of Winning Problem Gambling Theory, Research and Treatment

As gambling become ever more ubiquitous, more people are risking their finances, family lives, and health in their desire to be the winner that takes it all. This book brings together an international panel of experts to present a wide variety of perspectives on problem gambling, and test popular addiction and disease models in the field.

Poker websites. State lotteries. Sports betting. As gambling outlets become easier to find, more—and younger—people are risking their finances, family lives, and health. In the Pursuit of Winning brings together an international panel of 35 experts to present theoretical, clinical, sociological, historical, and spiritual perspectives on problem gambling, and test popular addiction and disease models in the field. Early chapters examine the general psychology of gambling, before moving on to the irrational ideas associated with compulsive wagering, from belief in luck to illusions of control. The seven chapters in the second half are devoted to evidence-based interventions from a variety of clinical orientations. Case examples, Q&A sections, and a glossary add extra readability to the coverage.

Among the highlights:

• The genesis of gambling: human nature or social learning?
• Potential relationships between individual factors—including temperament, coping skills, and specific clinical syndromes—and problem gambling.
• Beyond the house edge: the view from economics and marketing.
• Cognitive-behavioral, transpersonal, and anger-management interventions for pathological gambling.
• Guidelines for developmentally appropriate treatment of gambling problems in youth.
• Cogent reviews of Gamblers Anonymous, telephone/online counseling, and the emerging science of pharmacology in gambling treatment.

For addiction counselors, psychiatrists, health psychologists, clinical social workers, and researchers in behavioral medicine, here are solid insights into an underrecognized client population. Its balance of accessibility and scientific rigor make In the Pursuit of Winning an ideal textbook for applied and graduate programs in addiction counseling and health psychology.