Addiction to virtual games and online betting, known as ludopathy, became part of the specialized care flow of the São Sebastião Psychosocial Care Network. After identifying the increase in demand for care related to the emotional, family and financial impacts caused by compulsive behavior associated with so-called 'bets', the City of São Sebastião, through the Department of Health (Sesau) and the Public Health Foundation (FSPSS), structured a specific line of care to meet this growing demand. The service is provided by Psychosocial Care Centers (Caps), with multidisciplinary teams made up of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and nurses. Monitoring is individualized and may include clinical assessment, individual and group psychotherapy and, when medically indicated, drug treatment. The Basic Health Units (UBS) are also part of this care flow, providing initial reception and early identification of cases. Recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a mental disorder, gaming addiction has mobilized public health services in different countries. In Brazil, the Ministry of Health warns of the growth of online betting and its impacts on mental health, debt and family relationships, a scenario that reinforces the need to expand prevention, reception and treatment strategies in the public network. In addition to clinical care, the municipal network develops therapeutic groups aimed exclusively at people addicted to virtual games. The meetings are organized by the Caps and have dates and times defined at the time of reception. Care also includes guidance and psychosocial support for family members, considering that the effects of compulsion often go beyond the individual and compromise the entire family dynamic. Access to the service is free and carried out on an open-door basis, without the need for a medical referral or prior appointment. Any resident who identifies emotional, social or financial losses related to betting can directly contact the reference Caps in their region or seek initial care at the nearest Basic Health Unit (UBS). To expand access and organize the care flow, the Psychosocial Care Network is structured by territorial reference and age group. Residents of the North Coast are served by the Alcohol and Drugs Psychosocial Care Center (Caps AD). In the Central region, between São Francisco and Toque-Toque Pequeno, the reference is the Psychosocial Care Center (Caps I). Residents of the South Coast, between Paúba and Boraceia, are also served by Caps AD. Children and adolescents under 18 years of age are supported exclusively by the Children and Youth Psychosocial Care Center (Caps IJ). Service Specialized care for addiction to online betting and virtual games The service is free, provided on an open-door basis and does not require a medical referral or prior appointment. Psychosocial Care Center for Alcohol and Drugs (Caps AD) Reference audience: Residents of the North and South Coasts (from Paúba to Boraceia) Reception hours: Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 11:30 am and from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm Address: Avenida Machado de Assis, 1.203, Canto do Mar Telephone: (12) 3892-5936 Psychosocial Care Center (Caps I) Reference audience: Residents of the Central region, between São Francisco and Toque-Toque Pequeno Reception hours: Monday to Friday, from 9am to 11am and from 2pm to 3:30pm Address: Rua Antônio Pereira da Silva, s/n, Topolândia Telephone/WhatsApp: (12) 3892-3470 Psychosocial Care Center for Children and Adolescents (Caps IJ) Reference audience: Children and adolescents under 18 Reception hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 8:30 am to 11 am and from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm Address: Rua Prefeito João Cupertino dos Santos, 58, Centro Telephone: (12) 3893-0900 Required documents: ID, CPF and SUS Card of the child or adolescent.
São Sebastião structures a specialized network to assist betting and gaming addiction
Addiction to virtual games and online betting, known as ludopathy, became part of the specialized care flow of the São Sebastião Psychosocial Care Network. After identifying the increase in demand for care related to...