Addiction Recovery Expert: Proceed with Casinos Cautiously

1/10/2013 (Updated 8:03:22 PM)

Not everyone is ready to roll the dice on upstate casinos at least not yet.

One expert who specializes in gambling addiction says we need to proceed cautiously.

Lesa Densmore is a local addiction recovery coach who also speaks throughout the country about gambling addiction.

She says more casinos means the need for more gambling addiction awareness and programs for treatment.

"With the economy being the way that it is, people actually reach out to the possibility of getting that big win.  It's also a rush, it's a high for people, and when you look at this from the standpoint of treatment of those of us who educate about it, most people will latch onto it as a means of coping, just like with drugs and alcohol," said Lesa Densmore.

Densmore says you may have a gambling addiction if you are lying to cover up gambling, disconnecting from relatives, and spending lots of money.