The Hidden Disease: Understanding Compulsive Gambling and the Road to Recovery

On this episode of Veterans Affairs Plus on 91.5 Jazz and More, host Dave Washington — fresh off celebrating his 75th birthday — welcomes two guests for an eye-opening conversation. First, Army veteran and Nevada Sisters United co-founder Evelyn Pacheco shares details about an upcoming hands-on trades education event for girls in grades 6 through 12, aimed at introducing young women to high-paying union careers in fields like electrical, plumbing, and carpentry. The show's second segment features Jeff Burist, a 19-year recovering compulsive gambler and the first African American trustee of Gamblers Anonymous Southern Nevada, who speaks candidly about the growing reach of problem gambling — particularly among younger generations driven by online sports betting — the difference between action and escape gamblers, the brain science behind addiction, and the practical steps anyone struggling can take to find help, including his forthcoming book, Caught in the Shuffle.