There are no statistical data to measure the size of the problem, but it was mentioned in a lecture by General Alcides Valeriano de Faria Júnior, head of CCOMSEx (Army Social Communication Center), to a group of journalists who participated in a conflict area course at CCOPAB (Brazilian Joint Center for Peace Operations), in Rio de Janeiro, earlier this month.
Debt and the development of mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression, are described as the main risk factors that can impair the performance of officers and enlisted personnel.
Based on guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO), the document compares online betting addiction to typical addictive behaviors, such as alcoholism and chemical dependence.
Without providing data showing the impact of these disorders on the functioning of the Army, the text highlights that gambling addiction is more common among men with high impulsivity and competitiveness.
To warn about the risks associated with pathological gambling, the booklet cites the hypothetical case of an active-duty soldier named João.
According to the document, the character started betting for fun but ended up incurring debts to bet with increasingly higher amounts.
The text also describes the main symptoms of the disorder:
- Spending too much time on screens;
- Thinking about games for a long time;
- Feeling anxious or tense when not playing;
- Spending uncontrolled amounts on games;
- Increased irritability or impatience;
- Need to be connected all the time;
- Lying about playing;
- Constant feeling of guilt;
- Unavailability;
- Distancing or isolation;
- Organizational problems;
- Procrastination;
- Difficulty in social situations;
In addition to debt and mental suffering, the consequences of pathological gambling include difficulty concentrating, decreased social skills, and the development of vision problems and muscle pain.
At the end, the material recommends the use of medication, psychotherapy, and participation in mutual support groups for the treatment of the disorder.
The Navy and Air Force also address the issue. The FAB (Brazilian Air Force) claims to have launched the PEF (Financial Education Program), which includes a work schedule related to betting expenses.
"The Aeronautical Psychology Institute has studies showing that excessive involvement with betting provokes impulsiveness, which can trigger a series of emotional and psychological disorders," says the FAB.
The Navy states that DASM (Social Assistance Directorate) has implemented initiatives for the prevention and awareness of pathological gambling, such as socio-educational lectures, discussion groups, announcements on its radio station and the internet, as well as the production of reports.
Source: GMB / Folha / O Globo
