Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “We experience addiction more turbulently in Türkiye”

President of Üsküdar University and Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan participated online in the Family and Youth Symposium on Combating Addiction, organized by Samsun Ondokuz Mayıs University. Addressing the topic under the title “The Role of Family and Youth in Combating Addiction,” Tarhan emphasized that although addiction is a global problem, it is experienced more turbulently in Türkiye. Drawing attention to an increase of over 100 percent among young people within a single year, Tarhan underlined the need to focus on root causes and to develop a scientifically grounded master plan centered on psychological resilience. He also stated that digitalization and social media act as major triggers for addiction.

“We experience this problem more turbulently in Türkiye”

Highlighting the importance of identifying root causes in combating addiction, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan said: “Addiction is a global problem, but we experience it more turbulently in Türkiye. Unfortunately, statistics clearly show this. While the global increase rate is around 45 percent, in Türkiye the increase among young people has exceeded 100 percent within the last year. This is an extremely serious figure. Therefore, in combating addiction, it is essential to act by identifying the root cause. In addiction treatment, the detoxification phase, meaning the hospital-based treatment process, is actually relatively easy. We hospitalize the patient for two to three weeks, overcome the acute phase, and apply detox. Compared to previous periods, withdrawal symptoms, which are the most painful and distressing stage of addiction, are no longer as severe thanks to new treatment methods. Patients can now get through this phase much more comfortably and with less pain. Despite this, we see very high relapse rates after discharge from the hospital. If a patient adheres to treatment for six months after hospitalization, a recovery rate of about 70 percent can be achieved. This is an extremely significant and important rate. However, the critical point here is maintaining that six-month process without interruption. In addiction treatment, there are prevention efforts at the individual and family level, as well as at the school and community level. In addition, there are policy and environmental measures and early intervention approaches within the healthcare system. All of these areas must be carried out simultaneously and together.”

“A psychological resilience master plan must be created”

Stating that the most effective treatment is preventing individuals from becoming ill in the first place, Tarhan said: “There are primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies. Primary prevention refers to what should be done to ensure that healthy individuals do not become ill. Currently, the primary prevention field is largely neglected. Lifestyle studies are extremely important at this point. The Ministry of Health is already working in this area and is preparing a healthy lifestyle master plan.

Similarly, a healthy lifestyle master plan focused on addiction prevention should be developed to ensure that young people do not become addicted. The institution that should prepare this master plan is the Ministry of National Education. The concept of healthy living is the key point here. A psychological resilience master plan that defines how a healthy individual should live must be created. Because the most effective treatment is preventing illness before it occurs. For this reason, primary prevention is critically important in combating addiction. We are conducting studies aimed at strengthening psychological resilience, but these efforts must be evidence-based and scientifically grounded. It is not possible to achieve this goal through traditional methods or by giving value-based lectures alone. Value-based education must be delivered systematically. These contents can even be integrated into subjects such as physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Given the importance of this issue, a comprehensive master plan must be prepared within our education system. This is my top priority. Moreover, sufficient materials already exist in this field, so there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Many countries have already begun implementing some of these practices. Teaching early life skills is extremely important. Family-oriented programs are equally crucial. Strengthening the family plays a critical role in combating addiction.”

“Digitalization has become a major step on the path to addiction”

Addressing the reasons behind the increase in addiction, Tarhan stated: “One of the global reasons for the rise in addiction is the weakening of family ties, reduced social support, and weakened social control mechanisms. This has become a significant factor in the increase in addiction. Consistent discipline has weakened, effective communication has declined, and approaches to developing emotional regulation skills have changed. Global transformation and digitalization have seriously influenced this process. Today, digitalization has become a major step on the path to addiction. At this point, personal awareness is extremely important. Many individuals turn to substance use as a way to reduce stress. However, a person who knows how to manage stress and remain calm under pressure will not resort to substance use during stressful moments. Likewise, an individual with well-developed social skills will not choose substance use as a solution to social problems. Attachment is also extremely important. Attachment is one of the basic human needs. A child attaches to the mother at birth and later forms attachments to the environment and social relationships. The human brain has four fundamental needs. First, it seeks eternity. Second, it seeks meaning and purpose. Third, it seeks freedom. Fourth, it seeks healthy relationships. When these four needs are not met, the brain begins to generate internal turmoil.”

“Conscious families recognize this process much earlier”

Emphasizing the importance of a warm and balanced family environment, Tarhan said: “There is primary prevention to ensure that healthy individuals do not become ill, and there is also secondary prevention. Secondary prevention involves identifying risk groups and implementing preventive measures for them. Early risk detection and the provision of education and counseling services are extremely important at this stage. Identifying risk requires more specialized methods, and a multidisciplinary approach is essential.

Access to addiction services must also be increased. When access improves, problems can be identified much earlier. Conscious families recognize this process much earlier. If there is a warm and balanced environment at home and parents are aware, problems can be resolved before they grow. A conscious family can take a clear stance and say, ‘Either the substance or me.’ In such cases, if the child feels safe within the family environment, they choose their family and abandon substance use. Therefore, it is extremely important for the child to love their home and feel a sense of attachment to their family.”

“Social media has a triggering effect on this system”

Drawing attention to the relationship between social media and addiction, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated: “There are not only substance addictions but also behavioral addictions. Today, the most common behavioral addictions are no longer limited to certain groups or rare cases as they were in the past. We now have patients who are hospitalized due to gambling addiction. Digital gaming addiction, in particular, has become increasingly prominent in this field. We encounter cases so severe that individuals have stabbed their mothers because the modem was turned off. There are cases involving violence against family members, violence toward fathers, and incidents that require police intervention at home. This picture clearly shows how serious the issue has become. In this context, artificial intelligence also has a significant impact, especially on adolescents. Some countries have introduced age-based restrictions on social media use. For example, in Australia, the minimum age limit has been set at 16. In Türkiye, this issue should no longer be postponed, and measures must be taken as soon as possible. Social media plays an extremely powerful accelerating role in this process. It has a triggering effect on this system, and this must be clearly recognized. Especially among risk groups, social media use significantly increases vulnerability. A 100 percent increase within a single year. These figures are reflected in the media. The current situation clearly shows that policies implemented to combat addiction need to be revised.”