![]() "Obviously, if it's not impairing their functioning, it's fine," she said. Nevertheless, she said her patients may not recognize an encroaching problem. ![]() The official diagnosis requires a full year of problematic behavior. That's not to say Del Valle's clients have a gambling addiction at this point. "So, 'Instead of maybe going out shopping, now I go to the casino,' " she said.Īnd in some cases, clients may have replaced substance abuse with gambling. She said before MGM opened, only a few of her patients gambled regularly.ĭel Valle thinks her clients use gambling as a coping mechanism for stress or depression. ![]() ![]() Half a year since the opening of the MGM casino in Springfield, some mental health counselors are seeing an uptick in gambling among clients - though not necessarily an increase in people seeking addiction treatment.Īt the Gandara Center, a mental health clinic in the city's North End, therapists like Crystal Aviles Del Valle mostly serve clients on public assistance. Facebook Email Slot machines on the main floor during a preview tour at the MGM Springfield casino (Charles Krupa/AP) ![]()
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