A LOSING HAND
This art illustration for the upcoming problem gambling workshop “spells out” the cost of addiction. Unfortunately, addicts not only lose their money but many times their families, their independence, control of their lives and, in far too many cases, their lives when they feel the pressures are to much to bear.
Heather Kleckinger-Craven will conduct a two-hour workshop on Feb. 20 in Marksville on the important issue of gambling addiction.
Gambling addiction workshop to be held Feb. 20 in Marksville
While casinos and video poker plazas can benefit a local economy as employers and with local taxes, there is a dark side to those bright lights and loud bells and buzzers.
Addiction.
Like addiction to alcohol, drugs or other harmful behaviors, gambling addiction can ruin -- or even claim -- the lives of the addict and his/her family.
The Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling and the Compass Health Network are sponsoring a “Problem Gambling” community workshop from 10 a.m.-12 noon on Feb. 20 in the Marksville Fire Department Community Room -- known as the City Council meeting room -- at 512 N. Main Street.
LACG Clinical Services Director Heather Kleckinger-Craven will conduct the two-hour workshop. She will discuss defining and identifying a gambling disorder with the intent to increase participants’ understanding of the risk factors for developing a gambling disorder.
The workshop will also look at how to develop a financial treatment plan to more successfully prevent the gambling addict from relapsing. Another topic to be addressed is identifying impulsive or fantasy thoughts and behaviors that can derail the compulsive gambler’s recovery.
Kleckinger-Craven has been with LACG since 2011. She has worked in the field of behavioral health since 1999, focusing on addiction for most of her career. She is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and an international certified gambling counselor (ICGC).