Illinois: Organization stepping up gambling addiction services in cooperation with Full House’s casino; ‘Not all the casinos do that’

Illinois: Organization stepping up gambling addiction services in cooperation with Full House’s casino; ‘Not all the casinos do that’

Article brief provided by Lake County News-Sun
  • Steve Sadin, Lake County News-Sun
May 25, 2023 9:57 PM
  • Steve Sadin, Lake County News-Sun

Since May 1, representatives of Nicasa Behavioral Health Services made 122 appearances at a combination of public and private events, making people aware of assistance the organization offers to individuals with a gambling addiction.

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“We’re doing outreach and awareness to any interested group,” Elizabeth Thielen, a Nacasa senior director responsible for gambling services, said. “We’re going to health fairs, and putting literature in lobbies.”

Nicasa offers treatment to problem gamblers among its variety of services helping people with addictions, mental health issues and more throughout Lake County and beyond, counseling them through their issues.

Headquartered in Round Lake, with offices also in Waukegan and Highland Park, Thielen said gambling is unlike other addictions because people do not realize they have a problem as quickly as they might with substance abuse.