In the Pursuit of Winning - by Masood Zangeneh & Alex Blaszczynski & Nigel Turner (Hardcover)

About the Book

This much-need book tackles a growing issue head-on. It brings together an international panel of experts to present a wide variety of perspectives on problem gambling, and tests popular addiction and disease models in the field.

Book Synopsis

As gambling outlets become easier to find, more--and younger--people are risking their finances, family lives, and health. This book brings together an international panel of 35 experts to present theoretical, clinical, sociological, historical, and spiritual perspectives on problem gambling, and to 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. For professionals the book offers solid insights into an under-recognized client population. Its balance of accessibility and scientific rigor make this an ideal textbook for applied and graduate programs in addiction counseling and health psychology.

From the Back Cover

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.

Review Quotes

From the reviews:

"Zangeneh, Blaszczynski, and Turner offer an excellent and complete account of the current state of the science of gambling behavior and the treatment of problem gambling. ... Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals; general readers." (S. R. Flora, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (11), 2008)

"This book is a series of very interesting ... ideas on the nature of gambling, of pathological or compulsive gambling, and on treatment. ... I found this book to be an interesting and informative read, particularly in its attempt to provide diverse voices on the possible causes of pathological gambling. It is suitable for undergraduate and graduate students, clinicians, and academics and will add to our debates about the nature and treatment of pathological gambling." (David M. Ledgerwood, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 53 (38), 2008)

About the Author

Masood Zangeneh is Professor, Communication and General Education Department, Centennial College, and Research Analyst, Psychiatric Neurogenetics Department, Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is also editor-in-chief of International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction.

Alex Blaszczynski is Chair of Psychology, University of Sydney; Chief, Department of Medical Psychology, Westmead Hospital; and Conjoint Professor, University of New South Wales, School of Psychiatry. In 1995 he received the United States of America National Council on Problem Gambling Board of Directors Award for outstanding contribution to research on pathological gambling. In 2000, he received an award from the Latin American Psychiatric Association Honor Committee for contribution to the study of the impact of gambling.