She Bets Her Life: A True Story of Gambling Addiction Paperback – April 27, 2010

I love this book's subject matter: women who are addicted to gambling, gender differences between problem gamblers, brain chemistry, and how the gambling industry capitalizes on screwing with our (sometimes-already-screwed-up) brains.Not the *most* masterfully written book, but extremely useful and important; I would love love love to see more women's stories told involving obsessive and/or compulsive behavior, especially with gambling and gaming which we do NOT hear enough about (the author illustrates this with statistics about the growing numbers of women with gambling problems, and reasons why that's increased over the years). Accessible but still delves into the science of the brain; she tries hard to make the information understandable but doesn't shy away from explaining complicated stuff most people will have to read two or three or ten times or get some help with to understand.I related to so much in this book and learned a lot about what's going on in my brain from it even though I've never gambled money on my game addictions - I've always known it could be a major problem for me, and this book made me realize that even if I'm not spending money on the games I play, I already have a serious problem. Now I recognize my game hangovers for what they are when I have them and know that more gaming is not a great cure for them.The way the women's stories are presented is kind of hokey; there's some dorky, hard-to-believe language where they all seem to have the author's voice, or the author's voice trying hard to sound like someone else's voice, but I don't think it compromises the value of the book. Plus - on a better note - I think she probably succeeded in preserving her "sisters'" anonymity and honoring her commitments to them. I would rather read a book written by SOMEONE WHO KNOWS EXACTLY WTF SHE IS TALKING ABOUT BECAUSE SHE'S LIVED IT and have it be dorky, than read a fancy-pants book by some voyeur trying to be an expert on something she hasn't experienced.There is twelve-step material in this book which I personally appreciate, but I know other people are immediately turned off by it. Again, though, there's still a lot of good material whether that bugs you or not. I don't think the entire book and all of the information is "tainted" or disregardable because of it. The author doesn't make it sound like a 12-step program can cure you or that there aren't other ways of approaching the problem(s). These stories are personal but presented with lots of informative context.If you can find a better, more helpful book(s) about this let me know in comments, please. I'm guessing this is among the top, if not the best, current (and readable) books focusing on women who are addicted to gambling and some of what usually makes them different from men. Other than a couple of episodes of Intervention (and/or maybe one of those women's channel secret lives shows) these kinds of stories (and potential ways to cope with them) haven't been given nearly enough exposure. WELL WORTH THE MONEY!

I have been a gambler since I was 10 (nearly 50 years). This book was the turning point in my addiction, given to me by my counselor. I could not understand why I couldn't control myself or "beat" this monkey growing on my back. This book not only gives personal account of the hell a gambling addict goes through but in my case laid out exactly why I will never be able to control myself once I step into a casino. There is a physical (not just psycological) reason for some of us to go beyond boundaries and over the edge into madness. I was on the brink of loosing everything (including my mind), was about to commit myself to an institution, but found help thru a State program and began my way back to sanity and recovery. This book was the last step I needed to completely understand my addiction and return from the edge of the void. I have been casino free now for 7 months! I highly recommend this to all women on the verge of loosing everything they've worked for all their lives.

Every therapist who works with clients with any type of addiction, obsession or compulsion should read this book. Every person with any type of addiction, obsession or compulsion (and might that not be most of us) should also read this book. It's full of useful and factual information, plus offers an honest perspective of the day-to-day ups and downs of coming to grips with, accepting, and overcoming a problem that often feels so good! For those who struggle, you never know when someone else's nugget of wisdom and personal perspective will strike THE chord that sends you off in a direction of more healthful choices. Mary Sojourner's odyssey is filled with such nuggets. Buy it for yourself. Buy it for those you love.

This powerful, powerful story really touched me. I love this book. I am a compulsive gambler and I NEED this book. I read it regularly. Mary is a gifted writer and her personal emotions come across in her writing. I feel like I know her, everytime I read it. It has helped me with my gambling addiction too, because of her insights and the important information she has packed into the book. It's a fave. and I have given it to several people.

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This book combines the theory of addiction to gambling for women as well as the grass roots experience of getting lost in gambling. It is difficult to find a book that combines both. I found the book thought-provoking as well as inspiring. I highly recommend this book for therapists as well as gamblers.

If you have someone in your family that has a gambling addiction - a must read. It covers all aspects of this addiction, first person stories as well as the science of addiction and the specifics of how gambling affects the brain. The information about casinos and how all the triggers of being in, and staying at a casino are no accident, interesting information.

I can relate. Anyone plagued with a gambling addiction or if you know someone who is, you will be able to relate to much of this book!

Timely delivery, excellent read.

Excellent book! Recommend this book to anyone struggling with gambling. Very informative and an eye opener on what it is like struggling with a gambling problem or for a family member who is trying to cope with a gambler. Best book have I read on this subject.