Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz: "Research on the prevalence of substance use in our country should be conducted"
Stating that the first step in the fight against addiction is healthy data, Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz pointed out that there are serious deficiencies in our country in terms of social prevalence research. Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz said that the study on the prevalence of substance use in 16-year-old high school students, which is conducted every 4 years in all European countries, should also be conducted in our country.
The final declaration of the 10th Alcohol and Substance Addiction Congress held in Antalya by Üsküdar University Addiction Application and Research Center and Addiction Psychiatry Association was announced.
A total of 36 panels and 13 courses, as well as symposiums and case presentations were held at the 10th National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Congress, which was chaired by Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz, Director of Üsküdar University Addiction Application and Research Center -ÜSBAUMER.
Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan and Hüseyin Çelik, Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health attended the Congress with over 250 participants and speakers.
YOUNG RESEARCHER SPECIAL AWARD TO DR. İBRAHİM KARAKAYA
At the Congress, where current research, acceptance and inferences were discussed in a biopsychosocial framework, Dr. İbrahim Karakaya was also given the Young Researcher Special Award for his study titled "The relationship of Nitric Oxide Synthase -1 (NOS1) Exon 1F-VNTR gene polymorphism with alcohol addiction, ADHD and impulsivity".
AS IMPORTANT AS THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM
Announcing the final declaration of the congress, Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz emphasized that addiction is an important health problem and causes social and legal problems with its consequences. Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz said, "Addiction is a national security problem and the fight against drugs or stimulants is synonymous with the fight against terrorism."
RESEARCH IS ESSENTIAL FOR HEALTHY DATA
Prof. Dr. Dilbaz explained the final declaration as follows
"It is clear that the first step in the fight against addiction is healthy data and there is a serious need for large-scale social prevalence studies in this field in our country. Since 2003, the study on the prevalence of substance use among 16-year-old high school students, which has been conducted every 4 years in all European countries, has not been carried out yet, and it is important that the relevant ministries take rapid action to carry out these studies. Scientific studies in this field require significant support and it is of great importance that TUBITAK provides support with a special invitation.
THE CONCEPT OF USE DISORDERS SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED
Since the term "drugs" does not fully cover the current effect, since substances with stimulant properties as well as substances with narcotic properties have a serious addiction potential, it would be appropriate to change the term to "substances" in the scientific platform as well as in other related fields, and the concept of "use disorders" should be emphasized as much as the concept of "addiction" in both treatment and protection policies.
It is seen that the use of synthetic substances is an increasing danger in our country in recent years and the danger is related to the toxic effects of the substances used along with the increase in the number.
It is believed that it is very important to measure whether a person is using substances for legal or illegal reasons in the most accurate and sensitive way, and that it is important to discuss the techniques used in advanced laboratories in our country in this field and to focus on verification laboratories.
ATTENTION WAS DRAWN TO TOBACCO ADDICTION
It is important to note that smoking, which is legal for sale as much as illegal substances, is a serious health problem for the whole society, especially for young people, and that the presence of mental health specialists who are experts in the field of addiction more actively in the field of accessible treatment is of great importance in terms of the effectiveness of treatment.
BEHAVIORAL ADDICTIONS ARE INCREASING
In the congress where behavioral addictions such as gambling addiction, virtual addictions and eating addiction were also discussed, the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and alcohol substance use disorders developing in patients after obesity and obesity surgery was emphasized. The importance of a comprehensive psychiatric examination before surgery in these patients was emphasized.
Family-oriented interventions are as important in the treatment of addiction as prevention and the importance of family therapy training for professionals working in this field was emphasized in this congress and a basic training course on family therapies was organized.
The work of organizations such as the Green Crescent and the Healthy Life is a Choice (SAYAT) Association, which have a preventive importance, as well as non-governmental organizations working in this field, especially treatment groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), are important in the inclusive and sustainable treatment of addiction. However, since this field also carries a serious risk of abuse, the function of non-governmental organizations should be to play a role in this field, not to steal a role.
Treatment and accessibility of treatment is as important as prevention in the field of substance use disorder. In this field, drug treatments, somatic treatments such as Transmanyetic stimulation (TMU) and psychotherapies are effective treatment options.
SPECIALIZED PERSONNEL SHOULD BE TRAINED IN THE FIELD OF ADDICTION
The number of addiction treatment centers in private centers across Turkey and within the Ministry of Health is in the process of increasing rapidly. While there is currently a shortage of healthcare professionals in the field of addiction, the need for people specialized in the field of addiction is evident in our country with the increasing number of treatment centers. It is important to overcome the deficiency in this field and to bring people equipped and specialized in the field of addiction to prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services. In this sense, it is important to focus on master's degree programs affiliated to universities that have been established and have just started to work in this field.
Addiction is a biopsychosocial problem and requires the cooperation of many institutions. Inter-agency cooperation is crucial for meaningful economic utilization of the existing potential.
Cooperation with the media in the field of addiction is important and training programs should be carried out with media professionals in this field."