Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan attended the “Resolute State in Combating Drugs, Secure Turkey Panel” organized by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications. In the program, also attended by Minister of Health Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu, Tarhan made striking statements in the session titled “Communication-Based Preventive Approaches in Combating Drugs.” He emphasized that addiction is not merely a problem of attachment to substances, but an issue of attachment to life, stating that addictions develop through the brain's reward system, and that secure attachment, strong communication, social support, and meaningful relationships play a decisive role in protection from addictions. Tarhan also noted that as empathic communication strengthens, the need for addiction decreases, and highlighted that in light of scientific data, empathic communication, quality togetherness, and properly understanding life are fundamental approaches in the fight against addiction.
The panel “Resolute State in Combating Drugs, Secure Turkey” was held at the Conference Hall of the Presidency's Directorate of Communications.
Many prominent figures, including Presidency's Director of Communications Prof. Dr. Burhanettin Duran and Minister of Health Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu, attended the panel.
Speaking at the panel moderated by TRT News Anchor Esra Kaya, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan emphasized that establishing social support, strong communication, and meaningful relationships plays an important role in protection from addictions.
Also participating in the panel were; İstinye Üniversitesi Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Peyami Çelikcan, Anadolu Üniversitesi Faculty of Communication Sciences Faculty Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. İzlem Vural, and Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Hamidiye Health Services Vocational School Faculty Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Esra Abay Çelik.
“Humankind is born with tremendous potential”
Addressing addiction through literature cases, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated; “Narcotics or stimulants… In fact, they are all similar. Behavioral addictions are also included. Because they all affect similar areas in the brain. Gambling addiction, various digital addictions all operate in the same way through the brain's dopamine system, pleasure system, and reward system. The human child, unlike the offspring of other living beings, is psychologically born premature. We know nothing but are born with tremendous potential. We are physically complete but psychologically premature. There are even cases that have entered the literature. For example, the Oksana Malaya case in Ukraine. Her parents were alcoholics, living in a village at the edge of a forest. The child was exposed to complete physical and emotional neglect. The child grew up among dogs. She disappeared at three years old, found at ten. She walks on all fours, eats like dogs, goes underwater like dogs. When found, she was taken to a rehabilitation center. She became able to stand up and form a few sentences.”
“Addiction is an ecosystem disease”
Stating that addiction disrupts the brain's reward system, Tarhan said; “The child's first place of education is their family, their home. It is the parents or those who act as parents. They learn their first lessons there. In fact, there is an experiment conducted to test the brain's reward system in kindergarten children. They distribute four chocolates to the class. The children are observed. Everyone eats their chocolate, no problem. After a while, this time some children in the class are given one, some seven, and some no chocolate at all. They observe again. This time, fights break out in the class, peace is disturbed. Yet, abstract concepts have not yet developed in a kindergarten child. The question ‘Is there a gene related to fair sharing?’ arises from this, and they research it. So, humans have such genetic predispositions. The absence of fair sharing, the inability to share the reward, can lead to violence. Addiction similarly disrupts the human brain's reward system. Social learning and environment are important here. Therefore, addiction is an ecosystem disease.”
“As if they had taken a substance…”
Referring to the roles of addiction-related chemicals in the brain, Tarhan stated; “Serotonin receptors are separate, cannabinoid receptors related to cannabis are separate, endorphin receptors are separate. When these receptors are stimulated, the brain's dopaminergic system immediately activates, and pleasure is generated in the brain. For example, in a person gambling, serotonin and dopamine receptors are activated. That is, it's as if they have taken a substance in the brain… Both create the same effect in the brain. Endorphins are also secreted in people who exercise. The person does not feel pain. Endorphin has two properties. One is to give pleasure, the other is to be a painkiller. What we call internal morphine is actually the endorphin produced by the brain itself. Young people feel pleasure while exercising, but when the exercise ends and they rest, pain begins. We have all experienced it; pain starts when the body cools down. Because endorphins are secreted during that process. The brain has such a system. These stimulants, narcotics, or behavioral addictions also activate these systems in the brain.”
“We can change many of our habits with the help of scientific data”
Referring to the neurobiological equivalents of mealtime conversations, Tarhan stated; “We implement digital detox practices within the family. For example, we say that plates are set on the table, and they should also set a plate for phones. Everyone should place their phone on that plate, and then eat while conversing. Because the brain secretes dopamine while eating. If we also converse at that moment, because the dopamine secreted during conversation and eating is simultaneous, permanent learning occurs in the brain. So, those mealtime conversations actually have a neurobiological equivalent, a foundation. We can change many of our habits with the help of scientific data. If we approach a child with classical methods, you will alienate the child. This is also a communication method: empathic communication. We don't confront them; we take them alongside us and walk together. If we confront them and try to correct them, we will lose the young person, but if we walk with them, accompany them, and establish empathic communication, we will not lose them.”
“Addiction is an attachment disorder”
Stating that continuity ensures secure attachment, Tarhan said; “Addiction is an attachment disorder. That is, what we call addiction is not actually attachment to a substance, but a disorder of human attachment to life. For example, what is the first emotion a child feels immediately after birth? In the mother's womb, in an extremely comfortable environment, they don't even need to move their lips; everything comes ready. Suddenly, they are born, cold air fills their lungs, and the first emotion they feel is fear. The first person they take refuge in is the mother, and the first object they become attached to is also the mother. If the child establishes a secure attachment with the mother, they can also establish secure attachment in life, but if avoidant attachment, anxious attachment, or disorganized attachment occurs with the mother, and they cannot establish a secure relationship, a condition we call 'nursery sickness' emerges in children. That is, children left in nurseries are physically well cared for, but they do not grow, and even sudden deaths can be seen in nursery sickness. The reason for this in these children is the frequent change of caregivers. A stable, consistent, and continuous attachment does not form. They cannot establish secure attachment because the caregiver constantly changes. The advantage of our culture emerges here. For example, even if the mother works, there is a maternal grandmother, a paternal grandmother, or a permanent caregiver. This continuity ensures secure attachment. So, secure attachment is very important.”
“As empathic communication strengthens, the need for addiction decreases”
Drawing attention to the happiness of meaning, Tarhan stated; “The formation of trust in communication is very important. Furthermore, if there are unregulated emotions and emotional voids in substance-related relationships, the need for addiction decreases as empathic communication with the person strengthens. Quality companionship is important here. Not having many friends, but deep friendship is important. For example, the word ‘dost’ (friend)… The word ‘dost’ in our language does not have an exact equivalent in English. It exists in our culture, but in English, it is mostly referred to as ‘friendship’. Similarly, the concept of ‘huzur’ (peace/serenity) is similar. They researched the exact English equivalent of the Arabic word ‘huzur’ but could not find it. Upon this, American Seligman, who is interested in positive psychology, used the term 'authentic happiness' instead. That is, pure, genuine, natural happiness. Because in English, there is no word for 'huzur' in the sense we understand it. The word 'huzur' in our language comes from the Arabic root meaning 'to be ready'. That is, you see both the negative and the positive, you are ready for both, but you take refuge in the positive. Feeling good in a calm way, feeling ready for everything… This is a state greater than happiness. This is the happiness of meaning.”
“There are viral effects brought by digitalization”
Emphasizing that the global system has increased addiction, Tarhan stated; “Currently, we have developed purpose and meaning scales in addiction treatment. The scale of harm perception, the scale of outcome awareness, and the scale of life meaning and purposes… Their validity and reliability studies have been conducted and published. Using these, it is necessary to work on individuals properly understanding their lives so that they do not use the substance again or feel the need for it again. This global system has increased addiction, but a solution is also being found in some way. Therefore, one should not be pessimistic at all. Mothers, fathers, victims of addiction should not fall into despair saying, ‘Our child slipped away, they're gone.’ Our state is currently making very serious investments in this regard. There is now a state approach that works to prevent people from getting sick. A healthy living master plan has been prepared and put into action. This is a very good thing. Our main goal is to work to prevent people from getting sick. Because 60-70% of diseases originate from lifestyle mistakes: nutritional mistakes, lifestyle mistakes, wrong decisions… There are viral effects brought by digitalization, such as the viral spread of evil. The human brain is affected by evil more quickly.”
