Product Description

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. Early chapters examine the psychology of gambling, before moving on to the pastime’s associated irrational ideas. 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.

Customer Reviews (1)

When Run Luck Runs Out
The book seems well laid out and has solid information. From what I have read so far, the information is very relevant, even though it was published in 1985. I expect this book will be a very good starting point for understanding this problem. Apparently the authors do not distinguish between problem gambling and pathological gambling.The entry for pathological gambling, in the book's index, says "see compulsive gambling" and there is no listing for problem gambling. ... Read more

Product Description
A blow-by-blow account of ecstasy and despair, this narrative exposes one man's battle with compulsive gambling. It is the harrowing memoir of Doug Little's two-year binge as a compulsive gambler-a fall from grace that made national headlines, destroyed his life, and brought him to the very gates of prison, insanity, and death. As a community leader, Little bet on a world-class casino as the economic salvation of his town while he himself was hopelessly addicted, gambling feverishly to win back the thousands of dollars he had "borrowed" from the eight bank accounts he controlled. Little confesses the despair he felt in the parking lot after his losses, and the life-threatening rides home, broke again, another $10,000 of other people's money gone. Told in the first person from the last time Little gambled, it recounts that terrible day, hour by hour, in terms of what happened and what he was thinking and feeling. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Must Read
Losing Mariposa is a very unusual book both in its style and its content. Within the framework of a detailed description of his thoughts and actions on Oct. 22, 1996 from the hours of 3:00 a.m. until midnight),Doug Little manages to convey the horrors of his gambling addiction and its consequences. At the same time, he investigates some of the issues in his life that seem to have contributed to his becoming a gambler.

The book is exceptional in that he had such a high profile in the community, and yet after his "house of cards" came crashing down he chose to stay in the public eye by writing this book. Particularly striking were his descriptions of the frantic compulsion to get to play, and the frenzy of rushing from game to game or from venue to venue.His depictions of the lying, and cheating, and desperately juggling bank accounts to maintain deceptions will ring true for every gambler. Most poignant of all were the times when he began to realize that the only reason he wanted to go to the Casino was to hide --- to finally, for the last time, not have to face his life.

Doug Little has provided the gambler and the professionals who work in this field with excellent insight as how this addiction can take over and destroy a life. His ability to provide background information (both historical and personal), his vivid descriptions of his gambling sessions, and his relentless honesty combine to make this a must-read. I continue to recommend it highly to my colleagues and my clients. ... Read more

Product Description
COMPULSIVE follows the journey of Don Curtis from securefamily man and business owner to compulsive gambler. The extreme highsand lows he experiences and the lengths to which he goes to attainthem. Although a work of fiction, many readers will recognize theirown feelings and emotions; the daydream of winning a lottery dancesthrough many of our heads. However, the compulsion to win is anightmare. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Hard To Find And Well Worth It
A friend recommended this gem to me and Amazon has it hidden.I couldn't find it under the author or the title, so I had to plug it into my search engine.Once I did find it, I was able to purchase it and it was worth the search and the wait.It is the fictional account of a naive young man into the world of compulsive gambling."Don Curtis" is a happily married Denver accountant with a beautiful wife, two young sons that he adores, and a very good business.He jeopardizes all of it when he ventures from wagering on innocent golf games and football bets to the world of high stakes poker and casino gambling.I loved the book Nicotine Dreams because it gives us a glimpse into this perspective from a woman's point of view.This book does the same from a man's point of view, and the two styles of gambling are very different.Though this book came out over ten years ago, it does not feel dated, is gripping and difficult to put down.I highly recommend it.

Mildy entertaining cautionary tale
This book was mildly entertaining. It was a little far fetch that the main character could go on such a downward spiral in such a short time.Research had some errors such as stating the house has a 4% edge on a basic strategy player. It is actually closer to 4/10 of a percent. A big difference.

A frighteningly realistic story of compulsive gambling.
It is all here....from the initial small bets, "just for fun", to the rush of winning, (the worst thing that can happen to anyone with an addictive personality), to the larger and larger wagers, to the eventual crushing losses.I would be very surprised to learn that the author was not in fact a compuslive gambler.He hints at that in his foreword.

The subtle, insidious slide of the compulsive gambler is portrayed very well in the book.The truth is in the details...the rationalizations, the hiding of money, the lying and self-deceit that takes place as the disease takes over more and more of his life.

See if you recognize anything of yourself in the pages.It will certainly make you think twice about gambling.

Very Typical -- Don't bother
This is the every day, common story of the 'fall from grace' of those touched by the gambling bug. Once you've read a few books about gamblers and gambling addiction, you'll realize that this story is the network TV version of what it's really like (if you want the cable version, check out "Stung: the incredible obsession of Brian Molony").The author's intent is good I suppose, but characters' dialog is absurd, contrived and filled with unrealistic bravado.Clearly, the author is no gambling addict -- not a bad thing!Though the addictive symtoms and behavior illustrated throughout the novel are conceptually accurate, they're depicted with a simplicity that renders their phenominal effect almost trivial.I struggled and shook my head through the entire book.For the casual enthusiast, could be a good airport terminal read.Otherwise, you're better off playing cell phone solitaire.

A required read for gamblers
If you are a gambler this book should be required reading.Nelson's writing style is engaging and accurate - he captures the feelings ofgambling right down to the excitement that just walking into a new casinocan generate.He accurately portrays all the little things that go alongwith gambling - the new "friends", the new social events toattend, the new feeling of acceptance with fellow gamblers, the comraderiearound a table.Just like smokers also enjoy unwrapping their cigarettes,and tapping them, and holding them, gamblers enjoy a lot of little sidethings that make the whole package hard to give up.

A lot of what themain character goes through is very typical to all gamblers - unfortunatelyhis compulsive personality takes over and gambling turns into an addictionfor him.We see his slow decent as a gradual process - the finaldestination is something he would have run away from back when he wasstarting but by the end it all seems normal to him.You may scare yourselfby recognizing the parallels to your own life.How far along are you inhis progression?How many of his rationalizations have you alreadyused?

My view of casinos has changed after reading this book.I wasfocused too much on my own story - an occasional casino day tripper takingadvantage of cheap food and drink - and didn't consider all the compulsivepersonalities out there that casinos help ruin.If you want to put downyour last thousand dollars on a bad bet the casinos will gladly call you"sir" and give you a free drink!Just imagine if a similar thingexisted for drug addicts - imagine seeing someone in a tuxedo givingsomeone lying in the gutter a new syringe of heroin for three thousanddollars and calling him "sir" and making him feel important.Itwould be outlawed instantly and the tuxedo guy exposed as the fraud that heis!But as it is, it is "OK" and legal.

So, as you go outthere and buy lots of gambling books explaining how to play and what theodds are, etc., I recommend that you also get this book and see if you seea side of yourself that you might not want to.But so much better to findout in a book! ... Read more

Product Description
Meet Kim, a fairly ordinary, middle-aged woman with a job, two adult children, and a difficult husband. For enjoyment she plays the stock market, buys expensive handbags and sneaks an occasional cigarette. But when a casino opens within driving distance of her house, her life as she knows it will soon be over. This is a story of addiction. This is a story of one woman's descent into gambling hell, where the compulsion to play slots and poker machines is so great, she will risk it all in order to place just one more bet. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

If You've Been or Are Addicted, A Must Read
This book is a deep and awesome read for someone who has been or is addicted to gambling. I can see where someone may have trouble with it if they haven't had this issues in their personal life, either themself or with a family member. One review stated they didn't like the ending, but if you've been swallowed up into the deep trenches that compulsive gambling holds, the ending is perfect for this story. One thing happens in the story that seems a little too deep (you'll see), but it makes some sense when you think about how far this addiction can take a person, how it can almost re-create you into two people, your everyday self that everyone else sees, then the monster you become when your gambling moves beyond fun to pure compulsion and self destruction. I loved it, read it in 2 hours and I haven't done that for a long time with a book!

Excellent Insight into a horrible world
I received the book today and finished reading it today. Page turner and major eye opener. If you know anyone with a gambling problem, this tells it like it is. As with any addiction, it grabs you and takes you down. As for the review of the book not being finished or an ending, there was an ending.It's when your heart stops, and you realize what this woman has become.

Fantastic read!
Katie Cunningham writes a hard hitting, deep story of a life of a women who is addicted to gambling. What was intended as an afternoon of fun with her friends starts a multi year chain reaction with turns her entire life upside down. I just received the book today and read it in one sitting. It was a real page turner! This story will stay with you long after you finished reading it, and may make you think twice about throwing "just another $20" into that slot machine time and time again.

Non-stop Reading but Unanswered Questions
I am what is considered a problem gambler - not a compulsive gambler - but I have steadily been on the path of becoming a compulsive gambler.I saw myself in Kim in so many ways, the highs, the lows, the despair, the escape, the love-hate relationship with slot machines.This book left me with so many unanswered questions, specifically what ultimately happened with Kim's life.I hope it is a setup for a sequel, one with a positive ending.Even with the unanswered questions, this book has given me the incentive and the courage to change my life.I have been trying, but seeing myself in this book in so many ways has given me the determination to turn my life around.Casinos are everywhere in the city I live.They are constant and ever-present temptations.Finding this book is a God-send for me.When I find myself compelled to gamble, I will read the last page of Katie Cunningham's book, and I will be reminded .....

Fantastic Read!
This book was a great read. It was a real page-turner. I couldn't put it down.I couldn't wait to see what would happen next! ... Read more

Product Description
Although in theory gambling is against the law for children, there is one form of gambling that young people do have access to: slot machines. Adolescent Gambling addresses the issue of underage gambling and raises the crucial issue of who is to blame. Is it something about the personality of the young person or is it the addictive nature of gambling itself? Griffiths provides an overview of adolescent gambling worldwide in addition to individual case studies, treatment approaches and an insight into how the gaming industry induces young people to gamble. ... Read more

Product Description
As states have moved from merely tolerating gambling to running their own games, as communities have increasingly turned to gambling for an economic boost, important questions arise. Has the new age of gambling increased the proportion of pathological or problem gamblers in the U.S. population? Where is the threshold between 'social betting' and pathology? Is there a real threat to our families, communities, and the larger society?"Pathological Gambling" explores America's experience of gambling, examining: the diverse and frequently controversial issues surrounding the definition of pathological gambling; its co-occurrence with disorders such as alcoholism, drug abuse, and depression; its social characteristics and economic consequences, both good and bad, for communities; the role of video gaming, Internet gambling, and other technologies in the development of gambling problems; and, treatment approaches and their effectiveness, from Gambler's Anonymous to cognitive therapy to pharmacology.This book provides the most up-to-date information available on the prevalence of pathological and problem gambling in the United States, including a look at populations that may have a particular vulnerability to gambling: women, adolescents, and minority populations.Its describes the effects of problem gambling on families, friendships, employment, finances, and propensity to crime.How do pathological gamblers perceive and misperceive randomness and chance? What are the causal pathways to pathological gambling? What do genetics, brain imaging, and other studies tell us about the biology of gambling? Is there a bit of sensation-seeking in all of us? Who needs treatment? What do we know about the effectiveness of different policies for dealing with pathological gambling? The book reviews the available facts and frames the intriguing questions yet to be answered. "Pathological Gambling" will be the odds-on favorite for anyone interested in gambling in America: policymakers, public officials, economics and social researchers, treatment professionals, and concerned gamblers and their families. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The definitive work in the field
This volume summarizes the work of some of the nation's leading socialscientists who spent a year and a half studying problem and pathologicalgambling.This even-handed presentation cuts through the myths andmisconceptions surrounding this field and provides a welcome relief fromthe emotional rhetoric that often accompanies discussions of gamblingdisorders.The authors are extremely critical of much of the research donein this field andare particularly careful to remind the reader of whatcannot be said given the current state of knowledge as well as what we doknow.As with any field of study, research done since publication hasalready made some portions of this book outdated, but for anyone seriouslyinterested in pathological gambling, this is the place to start. ... Read more

Product Description
This subliminal CD is incredibly effective for releasing the binds of gambling addiction. You can listen to this soothing CD while working, sleeping, relaxing or playing. Meanwhile, your subconscious mind will soak in the powerful subliminal suggestions that will begin assisting you to break free of gambling addiction! The most sophisticated digital recording and processing available today were used in producing this powerful CD. The background combines soothing ocean waves and beautiful synthesizer music to enhance your relaxation. You hear no audible words or voices (but they are there). Allow this recording to play over and over while you sleep. The craving for gambling will begin to diminish almost immediately. Your willpower against gambling will begin to strengthen within a few days of use. This program is also is very effective in releasing shame, guilt or anxiety which is normal for anyone who is breaking the gambling addiction. If you have been addicted to gambling for many years or for just a short time, this will help you regain control of your life and give you back the emotional health you have lost. The affirmations are powerful & designed to bring about safe, healthy & permanent changes in your life. With so many subliminal products on the market, be cautious to purchase only REAL subliminal recordings with NLP (NeuroLinguistic Programming) affirmations. Proper production, recording, scripting, & duplication are vital in creating such a powerful product. Use only the BEST! Trust Mind Design technology & expertise. ... Read more

Product Description

The “Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders” is a comprehensive two-volume set providing detailed information on mental disorders and conditions, in an easy-to-use format. It includes entries for all 150 disorders classified in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,” and also features entries for prescription, alternative and over-the-counter drugs, as well as the various therapies used to treat mental disorders.

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco: Learning about Addictive Behavior, brought to you by Gale®, a part of Cengage Learning, a world leader in e-research and educational publishing for libraries, schools and businesses.The length of the article is 1410 words.The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase.You can view it with any web browser.The third edition of the Dictionary of American History is the first comprehensive revision of the classic Scribner reference source, originally published in 1940. Entries from previous editions have been updated and revised in light of historical developments and current scholarship, and over 800 entirely new entries have been commissioned to cover recent events (Bush v. Gore) and topics neglected by previous editions (Harlem Renaissance).This work will serve students, scholars, and the interested general reader in search of a quick and authoritative reference covering a wide range of topics in American history-from the well-studied (Louisiana Purchase) to the obscure (Camels in the West). ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from Behavioral Healthcare, published by Thomson Gale on December 1, 2006. The length of the article is 1293 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Betting on better access to care: a partnership aims to increase the services available to people with gambling problems.(ADDICTION TREATMENT)
Author: Margot Cahoon
Publication: Behavioral Healthcare (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 26Issue: 12Page: 14(3)

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This digital document is an article from Policy Review, published by Hoover Institution Press on March 1, 1996. The length of the article is 3729 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the supplier: Legalized gambling, a boon to state and local governments, is a nationwide phenomenon leading to compulsive gambling, teen-age gamblers, and similar social problems. Although state-sanctioned lotteries or casinos produce substantial revenues, many young people and families are put at risk of developing gambling addictions. Efforts to block casinos have been successful in some cities, despite the gambling industry's promises of increased jobs, as Americans become more aware of the dangers of widespread gambling.

Citation Details
Title: The diceman cometh: will gambling be a bad bet for your town? (includes related articles on gambling-related criminal activity and community efforts to stop casinos)
Author: Ronald A. Reno
Publication: Policy Review (Refereed)
Date: March 1, 1996
Publisher: Hoover Institution Press
Issue: n76Page: p40(6)

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