President of Üsküdar University, psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, participated in the panel titled “A Determined State in the Fight Against Drugs, a Safe Türkiye,” organized by the Presidency of Communications of Türkiye. At the program, which was also attended by Prof. Kemal Memişoğlu, Minister of Health, Prof. Tarhan delivered striking remarks during the session titled “Communication-Based Preventive Approaches in the Fight Against Drug Addiction.” Emphasizing that addiction is not only substance-related but essentially a problem of connection to life itself, Prof. Tarhan stated that addictions develop through the brain’s reward system. He underlined that secure attachment, strong communication, social support, and meaningful relationships play a decisive role in protection against addiction. Prof. Tarhan also noted that as empathic communication becomes stronger, the need for addictive behaviors decreases, stressing that empathic communication, quality togetherness, and the correct interpretation of life constitute a fundamental approach in combating addiction based on scientific evidence.
The “A Determined State in the Fight Against Drugs, a Safe Türkiye” panel was held at the Conference Hall of the Presidency of Communications.
The panel was attended by Prof. Burhanettin Duran, Head of the Presidency of Communications, along with many distinguished participants.
Moderated by Esra Kaya, the event featured Prof. Tarhan’s emphasis on the importance of social support, strong communication, and meaningful relationships in preventing addiction.
Other panelists included Prof. Peyami Çelikcan, Vice Rector of İstinye University; Assoc. Prof. İzlem Vural from Anadolu University Faculty of Communication Sciences; and Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Esra Abay Çelik from University of Health Sciences Hamidiye Vocational School of Health Services.
“Human beings are born with enormous potential”
Addressing addiction through examples from the scientific literature, Prof. Tarhan stated: “Drugs and stimulants are, in fact, quite similar to one another. Behavioral addictions are also included in this category because they all affect similar regions of the brain. Gambling addiction and various digital addictions operate through the same dopamine, pleasure, and reward systems in the brain. Unlike the offspring of other living beings, the human child is born psychologically premature. We are born with extraordinary potential, yet psychologically immature. We are physically complete but psychologically premature. There are well-documented cases in the literature. For example, the case of Oksana Malaya in Ukraine. Her parents were alcoholics, living in a village near a forest. The child experienced severe physical and emotional neglect and grew up among dogs. She disappeared at the age of three and was found at ten. She walked on all fours, ate like dogs, and even submerged herself in water like them. After being found, she was taken to a rehabilitation center, where she eventually learned to walk upright and form a few sentences.”
“Addiction is an ecosystem disease”
Prof. Tarhan emphasized that addiction disrupts the brain’s reward system: “The child’s first place of education is the family, the home. Parents, or those who replace them, provide the earliest learning environment. There is an experiment conducted with preschool children to test the brain’s reward system. Children are first given equal amounts of chocolate, and no conflict arises. Later, some children are given one piece, others seven, and some none at all. This time, conflict breaks out in the classroom. Even though abstract concepts are not yet developed at this age, the lack of fair distribution triggers unrest. This leads researchers to question whether there is a genetic tendency toward fairness. In humans, such tendencies do exist. When rewards are not shared fairly, it can lead to aggression. Addiction similarly disrupts the brain’s reward system. Social learning and environment are crucial here. That is why addiction is an ecosystem disease.”
“As if the person had taken a substance”
Explaining the neurochemical mechanisms involved in addiction, Prof. Tarhan continued: “Serotonin receptors, cannabinoid receptors associated with cannabis, and endorphin receptors are all distinct. When these receptors are stimulated, the brain’s dopaminergic system is immediately activated, producing pleasure. For example, when a person gambles, serotonin and dopamine receptors are activated, creating an effect similar to substance use. The same effect occurs in the brain. During physical exercise, endorphins are released, reducing pain. Endorphins have two primary effects: providing pleasure and acting as painkillers. They are essentially the brain’s own morphine. While exercising, individuals feel pleasure, but once they stop and rest, pain begins as endorphin levels decrease. Stimulant substances, drugs, and behavioral addictions all activate these same systems in the brain.”
“With the help of scientific evidence, we can change many of our habits”
Referring to the neurobiological foundations of family mealtime conversations, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated: “We encourage digital detox practices within the family. For example, we suggest placing a plate on the table not only for food but also for mobile phones. Everyone puts their phone on that plate and then eats while talking together. This is because the brain releases dopamine while eating. If conversation takes place at the same time, the dopamine released during eating and social interaction occurs simultaneously, leading to lasting learning in the brain. In other words, those mealtime conversations actually have a neurobiological basis. By making use of scientific evidence, we can change many of our habits. If we approach a child using traditional, authoritarian methods, we lose them. This too is a form of communication. Empathic communication means we do not stand opposite the young person; we stand beside them and walk together. If we confront and try to ‘fix’ them, we lose them. But if we walk alongside them and communicate empathically, we do not.”
“Addiction is a disorder of attachment”
Emphasizing that continuity ensures secure attachment, Prof. Tarhan continued: “Addiction is a disorder of attachment. In other words, what we call addiction is not attachment to a substance, but a disruption in a person’s attachment to life itself. Consider the moment a child is born. In the womb, the environment is extremely comfortable; the baby does not need to make any effort. Suddenly, the child is born, cold air fills the lungs, and the first emotion experienced is fear. The first refuge is the mother, and the first object of attachment is the mother. If a child forms a secure attachment with the mother, they are able to form secure attachments in life. However, if avoidant, anxious, or disorganized attachment develops, the child cannot establish secure relationships. In such cases, a condition known as ‘institutional deprivation syndrome’ can emerge. Children placed in institutions may receive excellent physical care, yet they fail to thrive, and in severe cases, sudden deaths may occur. The main reason is frequent changes in caregivers. There is no consistent, stable attachment figure. Secure attachment cannot develop because the caregiver constantly changes. This is where our culture has an advantage. Even if the mother works, there is often a grandmother or a consistent caregiver. This continuity enables secure attachment. Secure attachment is critically important.”
“As empathic communication strengthens, the need for addiction decreases”
Drawing attention to meaning-based happiness, Prof. Tarhan stated: “Establishing a sense of trust in communication is essential. In substance-related relationships, when emotions cannot be regulated and emotional voids exist, strengthening empathic communication reduces the need for addiction. Quality togetherness matters here. It is not the number of friends, but deep friendships that are important. For example, the Turkish word dost has no exact equivalent in English. In English, the term friendship is used, but it does not fully capture the same depth. The same applies to the concept of huzur. Researchers have searched for an exact English equivalent of this Arabic-origin word and could not find one. As a result, American psychologist Martin Seligman used the term authentic happiness. This refers to a pure, genuine, and natural form of happiness. In our understanding, huzur comes from the root meaning ‘to be prepared’. You see both the negative and the positive, you are ready for both, yet you take refuge in the positive. Feeling calm and grounded while being prepared for life as it is, and this is a state greater than simple happiness. This is meaning-based happiness.”
“Digitalization has viral effects”
Highlighting that the global system has increased addiction but also offers solutions, Prof. Tarhan concluded: “We have developed purpose and meaning scales for addiction treatment, including perception of harm scales, awareness of consequences scales, and life meaning and purpose scales. Their validity and reliability studies have been completed and published. Using these tools, we focus on helping individuals reinterpret their lives correctly, so they do not return to substance use or feel the need for it again. The global system has increased addiction, but solutions are also emerging. Therefore, there is no reason for pessimism. Parents and families should not lose hope by saying, ‘Our child is lost.’ The state is now making serious investments in this area. There is a public policy approach focused on preventing illness rather than merely treating it. A national healthy living master plan has been prepared and implemented, which is extremely valuable. Our main goal is to prevent people from becoming ill in the first place. Around 60–70 percent of diseases stem from lifestyle errors: poor nutrition, unhealthy habits, and wrong decisions. Digitalization has introduced viral effects, including the viral spread of harmful behaviors. The human brain is more quickly influenced by negativity.”
