Members  |    Projects  |  Publications  |  Picture Gallery

David M. Ledgerwood, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
University Track: Research-Educator
Rm: 217

Tel. 313-993-1380

Email. dledgerw@med.wayne.edu

Research Interests

My primary research interests are in the areas of substance use disorders and pathological gambling. My current focus within the study of substance abuse is on applications of contingency management treatment.  Two of my current studies are investigating the efficacy of prize-based contingency management for smoking cessation. Previous studies of prize contingency management in which I have participated focused on cocaine and opiates.

With regard to pathological gambling, I have several research interests, including the influence of co-occurring psychiatric problems, the relationship between gambling, impulsivity and executive function, and the efficacy of psychosocial treatments. One of my current studies examines the relationship between pathological gambling, impulsivity and executive function. Additionally, I am currently collaborating on studies testing the efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions (e.g., cognitive behavior therapy, motivational interviewing) for pathological gambling.

Selected Journal Articles and Book Chapters (2004 to Present)

Ledgerwood, D.M. (in press). Contingency management for smoking cessation: Where do we go from here? Current Substance Abuse Reviews.

Ledgerwood, D.M. (in press). Substance abuse and suicide. In G. Fisher, et al. (Eds.), Encyclopedia of substance abuse, prevention, treatment and recovery.

Ledgerwood, D.M., Alessi, S.M., Hanson, T., Godley, M., & Petry, N.M. (in press). Contingency management for group substance abuse treatment attendance administered by community clinicians. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.

Morasco, B.M., Ledgerwood, D.M., Weinstock, J., & Petry, N.M. (in press). Cognitive-behavioral approaches to pathological gambling. Invited book chapter submitted, for G Simos (Ed.), CBT: A guide for the practicing clinician (volume II). London: Psychology Press.

Price, R.K., Chen, L-S, Risk, N.K., Haden, A.H., Widner, G.A., Ledgerwood, D.M., & Lewis, C.E. (in press). Suicide in a natural history study: Lessons and insights learned from a follow-up of Vietnam veterans at risk for suicide. In D. Buchanan, C. Fisher & L Gable (Eds.), Ethical & legal responsibilities in research with high-risk populations: Addressing threats of suicide, child abuse, and violence. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Ledgerwood, D.M., Risk, N.K., Lewis, C.E., & Price, R.K. (2008). Comparison between self-report and hair analysis of illicit drug use among a community sample of middle age men. Addictive Behaviors, 33, 1131-1139.

Petry, N.M., Weinstock, J., Ledgerwood, D.M., & Morasco, B.J. (2008). A randomized trial of brief interventions for problem and pathological gamblers. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76, 318-328.

Weinstock, J., Ledgerwood, D.M., Modesto-Low, V. & Petry, N.M. (2008). Ludomania. Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry. 30(S1), S3-S10. [Available in English and Portuguese]

Ford, J.D., Hawke, J., Alessi, S.M., Ledgerwood, D.M. & Petry, N.M. (2007). Psychological trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder as predictors of outcome in contingency management treatment for cocaine and heroin substance dependence. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 45, 2417-2431.

Ledgerwood, D.M., Weinstock, J., Morasco, B., & Petry, N.M. (2007). Clinical Features and Treatment Prognosis of Pathological Gamblers with and without Recent Gambling-Related Illegal Behavior. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 35, 294-301.

Morasco, B.J., Weinstock, J., Ledgerwood, D.M., & Petry, N.M. (2007). Psychological factors that promote and inhibit pathological gambling. Cognitive & Behavioral Practice, 14, 208-217.

Petry, N.M., Litt, M., Kadden, R., & Ledgerwood, D.M. (2007). Mediation effects of coping skills among gamblers in treatment. Addiction, 102, 1280-1291.

Weinstock, J., Ledgerwood, D.M., & Petry, N.M. (2007). Gambling behavior: What are the limits of moderation. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 21, 185-193.

Ledgerwood, D.M., & Petry, N.M. (2006). Does contingency management affect motivation to change substance use?Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 83, 65-72.

Ledgerwood, D.M ., & Petry, N.M. (2006). Post traumatic stress disorder symptoms in treatment seeking pathological gamblers.Journal of Traumatic Stress, 19, 411-416.

Ledgerwood, D.M. , & Petry, N.M. (2006). Psychological experience of gambling and subtypes of pathological gamblers. Psychiatry Research, 144, 17-27.

Ledgerwood, D.M. , & Petry, N.M. (2006). What do we know about relapse in pathological gambling? Clinical Psychology Review, 26 , 216-228.

Hart, K.E., & Ledgerwood, D.M. (2005). Social psychology applied to clinical-counseling psychology. In F. Schneider, J. Gruman, & L. Coutts (Eds.). Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and Addressing Social Problems (pp. 101-127). New York: Sage.

Ledgerwood, D.M., McCaul, M.E., & Petry, N.M. (2005). Psychosocial treatments in pharmacotherapy for alcohol, cocaine and opioid use disorders. In H.R. Kranzler & D.A. Ciraulo (Eds.), Clinical Manual of Addiction Psychopharmacology (pp. 395-421). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.

Ledgerwood, D.M. , Steinberg, M.A., Wu, R., & Potenza, M.N. (2005). Self-reported gambling-related suicidality among gambling helpline callers. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 19(2), 175-183.

Ledgerwood, D.M. , & Petry, N.M. (2005). Current trends and future directions in psychosocial treatments for pathological gambling.Current Directions in Psychological Science, 14(2), 89 -94.

Ledgerwood, D.M. , & Petry, N.M. (2004). Gambling and suicidality in treatment seeking pathological gamblers. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 192(10), 711-714.

Research Funding

Ledgerwood, D.M. (P.I.), Arfken, C., Alessi, S.M., & Petry , N.M. “Prize reinforcement for smoking cessation.” Agency: NIDA (R21021839-01A1) Purpose: 1) To examine the efficacy of prize-based contingency management for the treatment of nicotine dependence; and 2) to explore the differential efficacy of two different schedules of reinforcement administered to nicotine dependent individuals.

Ledgerwood, D.M. (P.I.), Lundahl, L., Frisch, G.R., & Rupcich, N. “ Executive Function in Pathological Gamblers and Healthy Controls.” Agency: Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre. 
Purpose: To examine differences in executive function and impulsivity in pathological gamblers and control participants.

Ledgerwood, D.M. (P.I), Petry , N.M. , Weinstock, J. “Brief interventions for problem gambling college students.” Agency: NIDA/Yale Psychotherapy Center. Period: Aug. 2006 – July. 2007. 
Purpose: To examine the effectiveness of brief interventions for problem gambling in college students.     

Ledgerwood, D.M. (P.I.), Alessi, S.M., Petry , N.M. “Laboratory-based assessment of impulsivity in pathological gamblers entering treatment.” Agency: Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling. Period: Sept. 2005 – August 2007.   
Purpose: To assess the degree and type of impulsivity experienced by pathological gamblers using both self-report and computer-based measures. We are also examining differences between pathological gamblers with and without histories of substance use disorder, and we are exploring the role of impulsivity in treatment outcome.           

Petry , N.M. (P.I.), Ledgerwood, D.M. (Co-Investigator). “Cognitive-behavioral treatments for pathological gambling.” Agency: National Institute of Mental Health (RO1 MH60417-Cont.). Period: Sept. 2004 – August 2009. 
Purpose: To examine the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for pathological gambling compared with a control treatment (psycho-education).

Student Researchers Working With Dr. Ledgerwood

Andy Cameron, M.A. – Andy is a Ph.D. candidate in Clinical Psychology at Eastern Michigan University . He is currently working on his dissertation at the Jefferson Avenue Research Clinic. His study is an examination of the effectiveness of a computer-based motivational enhancement/cognitive behavioral treatment approach for problem gamblers who have a co-occurring opioid dependence and are in methadone treatment.

Aleks Milosevic, M.A. – Aleks is a Ph.D. candidate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Windsor . He is currently working on his dissertation examining factors associated with internalizing and externalizing psychopathology in problem gamblers. He is also involved in Dr. Ledgerwood’s ongoing study examining differences between pathological gamblers and control participants on measures of executive function and impulsiveness.

Kristen Kaploun (Hodges), M.A. – Kristen is a Ph.D. candidate in the Clinical Neuropsychology program at the University of Windsor . Kristen is assisting with Dr. Ledgerwood’s ongoing study examining the differences between pathological gamblers and control participants on measures of executive function and impulsiveness.

Service Highlights

• Grant reviewer for the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre
• Board Member – Michigan Association for Problem Gambling
• Journal reviews completed for: Addiction, Addictive Behaviors, American Journal of Criminal Justice, American Journal on Addictions, Clinical Medicine and Research, Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Journal of Gambling Studies, Neurotoxicity Research, PsycCritiques, Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, Psychopharmacology, Psychiatric Times, Psychiatry Research

Helpful Gambling Research Websites

• The Wager
• Journal of Gambling Issues
• Journal of Gambling Studies
• Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre
• National Center for Responsible Gaming
• Harvard Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders
• UCONN Health Center Gambling Treatment and Research Center
• University of Windsor Problem Gambling Research Group
• Alberta Gaming Research Institute
• Gambling Research Australia