Founding Rector of Üsküdar Üniversitesi, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, was a guest on the live broadcast organized by the Istanbul Provincial Mufti's Office Provincial Coordination for Combating Addiction. The program, followed with interest by over a thousand participants, focused on the topic of “The Importance of Preventive Medicine in Addictions.” Tarhan, emphasizing that a happy, peaceful, and free environment provided within the family protects against addiction, pointed out that bad friends and problematic families push children towards addiction. Tarhan said; “When we look at young people with internet addiction, we see that they grew up in an unhappy family. If there is no family warmth and peace at home, and children feel like they are coming to court when they return home, they try to compensate for this deficiency with other objects. Bad friends and problematic families push children towards addiction.”
“Addiction is a person becoming attached to an object they would not normally be attached to”
Tarhan, who began his speech by defining the concept of addiction in the program moderated by Umran Kılıçer, Istanbul Provincial Mufti's Office Provincial Coordinator for Combating Addiction, emphasized the evolving concept of addiction in the 21st century. Tarhan; “We can define addiction as a person becoming attached to an object they would not normally be attached to, as an object of pleasure or an object of love. Addictions are generally well-known types such as substance or alcohol addiction. However, addiction types vary. Addiction types are divided into two: normal attachment and attachment to the degree of enslavement. Addiction is a state where free will cannot be exercised. One of the symptoms of addiction is experiencing loss of control. The new name for addiction in our age is reward deficiency syndrome. These individuals always seek reward and pleasure. Use beyond what is planned results in addiction. Due to this state of captivity and imprisonment, the person completely loses control, and when deprived of the object of their addiction, they go into crisis. For example, internet addicts experience nervous breakdowns when they cannot go online. Internet addiction manifests as an inability to be online and a fear of missing out on current events. Another symptom of addiction is using it for longer than planned. Addiction reduces daily work efficiency. Overdoses occur, leading to sudden 'golden shots' and deaths. According to a study by Bakırköy, those who perform daily prayers recover from alcohol addiction within 40 days.” he said.
“In Addiction Treatment, Causes Should Be Investigated First”
Tarhan, making statements about the stages of addiction treatment, stated that the cause should be investigated first. Tarhan; “To get rid of addiction, one must first find its cause. Some become addicted out of curiosity, pleasure, or to reduce stress. In those who use substances for relaxation, an increasing dosage and many side effects are observed. Addiction has three pillars: first, the substance; second, the addiction subculture, meaning society glorifies and tolerates it; and third, legal restrictions. Preventive mental health is very important concerning addiction. Primary prevention is for individuals in society who do not have an addiction problem to know what they need to do to protect themselves from it. Especially in the USA, addiction has spread to almost the entire society. The USA is paying the price for its overly liberal policies. To overcome this situation, 'Science of Happiness' courses have begun to be given at middle and high school levels.” he stated.
“Because We Cannot Experience the Value and Pleasure of Belief, We Suffer Many Troubles and Illnesses.”
Tarhan, stating that addictions would disappear if the religion of Islam were lived properly; “We live Islam culturally. If the rules of Islam were applied regarding addiction, a person who firmly establishes their connection with Allah would not feel alone and would take refuge in the power of Tawhid (Oneness of God). If you have a problem, you open yourself up to the owner of everything, that is, Allah. Because we cannot experience the value and pleasure of belief, we suffer not only addiction but also many troubles and illnesses. We are in a century where worldliness has become an ideology. Someone who is only worldly cannot be happy. One who invests in temporary things cannot be happy. Compared to the past, humanity's opportunities and comfort have increased, and its test is different. In the past, people matured in scarcity; now, we mature in abundance. Our ego is like a wild horse. If the trainer is intelligent and trains the horse well, they can take it in any direction they want.” he said.
“A Happy Family Environment Protects Against Addiction”
Tarhan, emphasizing that a happy, peaceful, and free environment provided within the family protects against addiction, pointed out that bad friends and problematic families push children towards addiction. Tarhan; “When we look at young people with internet addiction, we see that they grew up in an unhappy family. If there is no family warmth and peace at home, and children feel like they are coming to court when they return home, they try to compensate for this deficiency with other objects. Here, parents have a great responsibility. Parental attitude errors cause the child to enter an inverse role. Sometimes, with clients, we witness that the child is a good child, but behaves this way due to their parents' wrong attitude. Bad friends and problematic families push children towards addiction. It is necessary to be a good role model for the child. Advice, conferences, sermons do not affect children. It is necessary to write new stories with the child. Parenthood means sowing seeds in the developing soul of the child.” he stated.
“True Happiness is Not in Hedonistic Satisfaction, but in Meaningful Happiness”
Tarhan, stating that the feeling of true happiness emerges not from material pleasures but from spiritual emotions; “Modernism presents the feeling of pleasure as the purpose of life. Happiness arises not from external reasons but from internal ones. Internal reasons are being able to be happy with what you have and to value it. It is necessary to teach this before people turn to addictive substances. In this respect, our culture has very beautiful resources, but in our country, the method of intimidation is used to get rid of addiction. This is not the right method. Young people are looking for methods that understand them and can communicate. The new generation seeks innocence, they understand positive communication. We don't speak the same language as young people, so they create a separate world and live there. They have closed their doors to us. It is necessary to be able to speak the same language. This way, the child will be happy, and it will be easier for them to enjoy life. Peace is found in people who believe in high values. Currently, the search for meaning is being taught in America. Meaningful happiness is not new. There is hedonistic satisfaction and meaningful happiness. We must move from the age of information to the age of wisdom. The inner peace that wisdom provides is true happiness. We must first experience this ourselves and then teach it to people. According to a study conducted in the USA, despite the increase in gross national product, the happiness rate does not increase. In other words, money does not bring happiness. England and many countries have established ministries of loneliness; people feel lonely in this age.” he said.
“In This Age, Evils Spread in the Form of an Epidemic”
Tarhan, touching upon the positive and negative effects of digitalization on the younger generation, stated that in this age, unlike other centuries, evils are spreading in the form of an epidemic. Tarhan; “Young people are within the expectation of freedom and individuation. The difference of this generation from others is that they were born into a large communication network. They have mastered digitalization very well. The younger generation are natives of the digital world, while the older generation are immigrants to this world. Social media is an open door in the safe environment of the home. The spread of evil is greater than that of good. Due to this speed, evil spreads faster. To protect oneself, a person's sensitivity to evil is higher. As social norms weaken in society, there is no longer a mechanism to warn young people. Social media is dangerous, but it is also a very useful medium when used for good. The most beautiful aspect of fighting darkness is to light a single candle. Mother Teresa said the same. As a divine religious teacher, she said: ‘To make the world a more liveable place, it is necessary to do individual good deeds.’ So, if half of all these people did good, there would be neither war nor evil with the other half. Adolescence is defined in the Hadith as ‘The age of puberty is a branch of madness.’ Parents should allow the child room for error. It is necessary to prepare the child for the difficulties of life with small responsibilities. It is necessary to instill the skill of delaying gratification at a young age. To be protected from evil, intention is very important first and foremost. In this age, unlike other ages, evils come as an epidemic.” he concluded his words.