While cleansing the body of alcohol and drugs is one of the primary goals of addiction treatment, reducing cravings for the substance is equally important.
Experts say that almost half of addicted patients have difficulty coping with the desire to use alcohol/substances. An application that will facilitate addiction treatment has started to be applied for the first time in Turkey. Deep TMU reduces the desire of patients to crave the substance.
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital offers the Deep TMU (Deep TMS) method, which is used in the treatment of many diseases such as addiction, schizophrenia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), to the service of its clients.
Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz, AMATEM Coordinator of NPISTANBUL Hospital, who gave information about the Deep TMS method, stated that Deep TMS is a technology that allows stimulation of deep regions of the brain that cannot be stimulated with classical TMS; "Although it actually has the same effect as classical TMS, this device can stimulate deeper. In our country, this technology is currently only used in NPISTANBUL Hospital."
Noting that Deep TMS (Deep TMS) is a TMU application that can affect the deep structures of the brain, Prof. Dr. Dilbaz said, "Thanks to the features of the head used in the device, stimulation can be given to different brain regions in different diseases. There are study findings that it is effective in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and some other psychiatric diseases and its use is becoming increasingly widespread. The use of deep TMU application in Depression and Bipolar Disorder is FDA and CE approved. Especially in the treatment of Depression, it is widely used in the USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, Belgium, Italy and other European and South American countries."
OFFERS EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR ADDICTION AND OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER - OCD
Stating that Deep TMU is used in the treatment of many diseases such as Depression, Schizophrenia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Addiction, Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz said that they prefer the Deep TMU method, especially in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and addiction treatments, where the classical TMU method is less effective.
ADDICTION IS A BRAIN DISEASE THAT IS DIFFICULT TO TREAT
Reminding that addiction is a difficult disease to treat, Prof. Dr. Dilbaz pointed out the importance of regulating the impaired brain regions in the treatment and said "Today, it is known that addiction is a chronic and recurrent brain disease like schizophrenia or a chronic disease with long-term treatment like diabetes. Addiction is not caused by a willpower disorder, lack of personality or moral weakness. It is caused by cellular changes in hormones called neurotransmitters such as dopamine in areas deep in the brain called reward centers. In the treatment of addiction, it is important to regulate these impaired brain regions."
THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD IN ADDICTION TREATMENT: DEEP TMU
Stating that the Deep TMU method is an effective method used in the treatment of addiction, Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz said, "The goal in addiction treatment is to first remove the alcohol/substance used from the body and then to reduce the desire/craving (craving) for this substance. Almost half of addiction patients have difficulty in coping with the desire to use alcohol/substances despite treatment methods such as medication, talk therapy, family therapy, which are still being applied in the treatment protocol."
Prof. Dr. Dilbaz gave the following information about the Deep TMU method: "Since it is not possible to stimulate brain regions such as Insula, Anterior Cingulate Cortex with the classical TMU methods we are still using, deep TMU treatment is applied to reduce cravings (desire to use alcohol/substances) in addiction patients. The aim of deep TMU treatment is to stimulate deep brain regions with TMU method. Recent studies have shown that deep TMU treatment reduces the cravings of addiction patients to smoke/alcohol/substance use, which we call cravings. In addition to reducing cravings with Deep TMU application, it also helps by reducing impulsive behaviors that cause substance use in the individual and improving the person's ability to make healthy decisions. As a result of stimulation of these areas, interest in addictive substances decreases and self-control ability of the person increases. It becomes more resistant to addictive substances. Session durations vary according to the type, amount and frequency of the substance the patient is using."
IN WHICH CASES IS DEEP TMU NECESSARY?
Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz pointed out that the Deep TMU method should be used in addiction patients, especially in cases of relapse after treatment, if the patient seeks the addictive substance despite known treatments.
Noting that 60-70% of addiction patients are accompanied by other psychiatric diseases such as depression, anxiety disorder, psychosis, Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz said, "Deep TMU applications are effective in treating the accompanying psychiatric disease together with addiction."
IS DEEP TMU A HEALTH RISK?
Stating that deep TMU is a low-risk application as in classical TMU, Prof. Dr. Dilbaz said, "Deep TMU is considered as a very low-risk application since no interventional procedure is performed to the patient compared to other brain stimulation methods as in classical TMU. This method does not leave any damage to the brain. However, in order to use it in the safest way, the patient should be evaluated by a specialist physician beforehand."
USE OF DEEP TMU IN THE TREATMENT OF OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)
Stating that Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessive thoughts and repetitive behaviors that cannot be removed from the mind, Prof. Dr. Nesrin Dilbaz said, "In this disorder, many patients may be resistant to drug treatment. So much so that many patients have to live with this disorder because the treatment fails. In patients, control over thoughts and behaviors can be increased by stimulating brain regions such as the anterior cingulate area with Deep TMU. In severe cases of OCD or in case of unresponsiveness to medications, Deep TMU can be a savior."
AREAS WHERE DEEP TMU APPLICATION IS USED;
Alcohol addiction,
Smoking addiction,
Cocaine addiction,
Multiple Sclerosis-Relieving fatigue,
Neuropathic pain,
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,
Autism - Increasing communication skills,
Parkinson's disease,
Alzheimer's Disease,
Schizophrenia-Negative symptoms
It is also CE approved for refractory neuro-/psychiatric disorders.