Customer Reviews

Taking Back Your Life: Women and Problem Gambling

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What are the irrational thought patterns that drive the compulsion to gamble and chase the losses? In what way is compulsive gambling a brain disease? How does this problem uniquely affect women? How can women get the help they need? These are among the issues dealt with in this gem of a book. The infusion of fascinating personal narratives of women "who have been there" make for fascinating reading. Taking Back Your Life is scientifically based unlike some other self-help books, yet it is beautifully written. Family members of compulsive gamblers will want to get this book; substance abuse counselors will want to recommend it to their clients. I have already recommended it to our local gambling addiction treatment center.
Katherine van Wormer
Professor of Social Work

This is a well-written hard-hitting book that depicts the personal pain and loss suffered by numerous women who became addicted to gambling. It is something that too frequently happens to ordinary people just like those in your life - your friends, relatives, sometimes spouses, or perhaps even you. But this is not just about pain and loss, it is about hope, and about the personal triumps of women who have "taken back their lives." It not only describes the seductive slide into hopeless addiction, but it tells the stories of women who found the honesty, courage, assistance, and faith to live again. They tell you how they did it!

If you have ever found yourself just a little too excited in a casino or frequently going to one to escape the anxieties of your life; if you ever found yourself feeling a little guilty, regretful, or afraid after leaving one, then this book is a must read for you. Go on line right now and buy it - while you still have the money and sanity to do so!

"Taking Back Your Life" by Diane Davis is an excellent book. I have read several books and articles on gambling addiction and this is by far the best. Further, this is the first book to tackle gambling addiction onset, destruction caused by addiction, and recovery in women. Bringing women's gambling addictions to the forefront is of utmost importance because women appear to be one of the fastest sub-groups patronizing casinos. I would definitely recommend this book to all my colleagues in the addictions field. Thanks Diane for making women the centerpiece of your book because too many times women's issues are placed on the backburner. Thanks!

Because of the number of casinos being built, compulsive gambling is increasing. "Taking Back Your Life" by Dr. Davis is being published at a perfect time. In her new book she covers the gambling problem from the onset of addiction to the destruction created and then on to recovery. I have read dozens of books on problem gambling and I highly recommend this book for the gambler, their loved ones, and for counselors. She takes the reader from the first experimental encounter with gambling to the devastation created, and then to recovery. "Taking Back Your Life" should be stocked on library shelves and in counselors' offices for reference.

Marilyn Lancelot, author of Gripped by Gambling

An easy read, this book is really uplifting and really SMART for women tired of being told/feeling how hopeless addiction is. There is a lot of good information on how and why this addiction starts, and how and why it can end. A good book for everyone - counselors, addicts, family members, and people who work in casinos...eye-opening. Thanks for writing this, Dr. Davis.

I ordered this book in a "Kindle for PC" version, which downloaded immediately.
The author does a very good job of not writing from her own perspective, but only from those of the many women pathological gamblers that she interviewed. Therefore, it will ring very true to a problem gambler who reads the book. Also, since the women she interviewed were all successful in quitting gambling, their various paths to that abstinence will be of interest to a problem gambler wanting to quit.
The book is very well written, and gives her many sources of information. I would recommend it to any problem gambler, but especially female ones.

This book is a gripping, well-written, and absolutely facinating book on the subject of problem gambling, particularly how it pertains to women (though it really CAN be used for anyone who struggles with or knows someone struggling with this progressive and relentless addiction).
Furthermore, there are numerous references, website links, and other practical, useable websites and suggested areas for further reading, which will help the truly addicted, recovering problem gambler as they seek even more support to battle gambling and all of the issues which accompany gambling. The thing I liked the most about this book was the obvious multi-pronged analysis and real-world "look" at the reasons, triggers, contributing factors (i.e. heredity, proximity to gambling establishments), and the other "issues" which often go hand in hand with compulsive gambling (drinking, mental health issues, etc.).

This is a must-read for anyone who is truly sick and tired of being sick and tired, and who wants to find hope, resource, and information on how to take back their lives.

I started reading this book 6 weeks after joining Gamblers Anonymous. I found the book very informative, well written and very easy to relate to. She does an excellent job explaining how a person gets 'addicted" to gambling as far as how the brain works and what casinos do to manipulate you. Like the book says, "how did a nice girl like you get into such a destructive behavior as gambling". The feelings of many women with gambling problems was easy to relate to and helped me understand how I got into this mess, and how I am going to get out of it. A must read for all women with gambling problems and also for her family and spouse. I found this book more informative and helpful than Gamblers Anonymous.

This book is very helpful to those trying to understand the complexities of problem gambling for themselves or for a family member. It is laid out nicely, starting with some possible causes of problem gambling and moving to different ways of finding solutions. Very educational.

This is no different then any other book I have read on this subject...not bad, or good, just the same information.