Gambling addiction among Veterans and Active Duty discussed by Dr. Les Waite - Publication Date |
- Aug 20, 2019
- Episode Duration |
- 00:30:00
Dr. Les Waite of Cleveland VA Medical Center is a national expert on gambling addiction of active duty and veteran population. He discusses the problem, its co-morbidity with other issues (depression, PTSD, TBI, etc) and its treatment options. It is estimated that 56,000 active-duty troops have a gambling addiction. Veterans tend to be 2 to 4 times more likely than the general population to be addicted to gambling. Vietnam veterans are as high as 10 times greater than the general public. Few people get treated and resources are limited at VA. However, The Mission Act may give greater treatment options in the community. Congress wants more done on this issue as clinical psychologist Waite discusses. Listen to Les Waite, Army brat and National Guard veteran, talk about this hidden issue with host Jim Fausone.