Problem Gambling: New Zealand Perspectives on Treatment (2004)

Richard Tan and Susan Wutzburg (eds.) Steele Roberts and Pacific Education Resources Trust: Wellington.

RRP $29.95 paperback — 253 pages — ISSN 1-877338-38-9

Problem gambling is a major social issue and a challenging area of social work practice. This new book explores issues facing those treating problem gambling in New Zealand. It brings together the writings of practitioners dealing with a range of difficulties in the field.

The shape of the book:

• Populations at risk and interventions gives a public health perspective, a systematic response to treatment in New Zealand, an overview of the Gambling Problem Helpline, and deals with both adolescent problem gambling and gambling in the ageing population.
• Treatment strategies and issues for working with problem gamblers presents the DICE therapy, the use of metaphors in problem gambling treatment, the importance of activity in the treatment for the problem gambler, and skill building for practitioners and drug and alcohol counsellors.
• Implications for treatment for gambling and associated disorders includes chapters on neurobiology and pharmacological treatment for pathological gambling, evaluating intervention needs, suicide, violence, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
• Culturally informed programme provision looks at Wahine Tupono, a kaupapa Maori intervention programme, Pacific problem gambling, and treatment for Asian immigrants.
• Gamblers’ families and implications for intervention includes first-hand experience.

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