Alcohol addiction treatment in Turkey | Clinics & prices

What is alcoholism?

A person is called an "alcoholic" when he shows a strong and repetitive desire to consume alcoholic beverages. Alcoholism or "alcohol dependency" is simply an alcohol addiction. This dependency manifests itself by:

1. The tolerance of the subject to high doses of alcohol ;
2. Showing a withdrawal syndrome in case of alcohol deprivation ;
3. The addicted consumer spends a lot of time and money buying and consuming alcohol.

Alcohol addiction does not occur overnight, it takes several years for an individual and those surrounding him to notice the problem.

If you suspect that you or a loved one is suffering from alcohol addiction, do not hesitate to seek help. With the help of doctors specialized in addiction treatment in Istanbul, you can begin the path to weaning off alcohol.

Causes of alcohol addiction

Alcohol dependence is a complex condition involving genetic, psychological, social and neurobiological factors. Dopamine, often called “the molecule of pleasure”, plays an important role in the brain's reward system. If every time a person drinks alcohol he feels good, it will push him to drink more.

There are other risk factors, we can mention them as follows:

• Psychiatric diseases: such as schizophrenia, depression, or anxiety.
• Social factors: such as poverty, isolation and shyness.

Who are the at-risk profiles?

Alcohol dependency varies depending on the subject's sex, age, genes, and cultural background. For example :

• Adolescents are especially vulnerable to developing alcohol problems. Men are more often affected overall, but women can develop complications faster..
• People who have alcoholic parents are at a higher risk of developing alcohol dependence.
• Social and economic factors can influence the risk of alcohol problems.
• Subjects with psychiatric disorders seem to be more vulnerable to alcohol.

Consequences of alcohol addiction

Long-term abuse of alcoholic beverages promotes the development of several diseases that can sometimes lead to death, such as:

Cancers diseases

Alcohol dependency increases the risk of cancer, regardless of the type of alcohol consumed. These cancers can affect the upper aero digestive tract, liver, colon and rectum.

Diseases of the liver and pancreas

Ethanol, the main component of alcoholic beverages, is a destructive toxin for the liver. It is often the cause of cirrhosis, a chronic disease that can lead to liver failure and death.

Alcohol doesn't just damage the liver. In fact, in the majority of cases of pancreatitis observed, the main cause is excessive alcohol consumption.

Brain diseases and mental disorders

Alcohol dependence can cause memory impairment. In severe cases, prolonged alcohol use may lead to Korsakoff syndrome, a neurological condition characterized by severe amnesia and memory deficits.

Alcohol dependency is also responsible for mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia and can even lead to suicide.

Cardiovascular diseases.

People who are alcoholics are more likely to have high blood pressure and have strokes. In addition, drinking large amounts of alcohol all at once can cause heart rhythm disturbances. These disturbances increase the risk of sudden death.

How can I help an alcoholic?

It is difficult to help a person quit alcohol against their will, so approach the subject with delicacy and empathy.

Try to understand why the person drinks: comfort, problems they are trying to escape, or the influence of others? You cannot answer these questions alone, but you can avoid judging or blaming them. Blame often triggers resistance and more drinking. This is why it is important to seek the advice of a specialist, such as a psychiatrist or addiction specialist.

Turquie Santé can help you reach partner clinics and specialists in alcoholism treatment.

However, it is up to the person to express a desire to be treated and to request medical care. In some countries, a detoxification programme can be imposed in two cases:

• A criminal conviction with an obligation of medical care;
• Placement under legal supervision.

Treatment of alcohol addiction in Turkey: Stages & duration

Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Turkey: Stages & duration

The treatment of alcohol dependency goes through several steps:

Diagnostic phase

The purpose of this step is to determine the degree of the patient's dependency and its effects on his health. It combines several procedures such as:

• The cytobacteriological analysis of urine;
• Screening for HBV, HCV and HIV;
• A blood test (blood count numbers);
• A blood biochemical analysis;
• The electrocardiogram (ECG);
• A series of procedures (Endocrinology, Uronephrology, Pulmonology, Gastroenterology);
• Psychological test.

Other exams can be added if the patient's medical condition requires them.

Treatment phase 

Different types of treatments are used to help people overcome alcoholism :

• The weaning phase : This is the stage during which the patient refrains from consuming any alcoholic substance. It aims to remove the ethanol toxin from the patient's body while overcoming the withdrawal syndrome. The duration is set by the medical team according to the severity of the dependence (often about a week to ten days). It also includes medication and food supplements. Alcohol withdrawal can cause serious complications (seizures, hallucinations, delirium tremens) and must never be attempted alone: it requires medical supervision. The purpose of that is to allow the affected organs (brain, liver, and kidneys) to recover.
• The psycho stabilization phase : This is the phase during which the psychiatrist helps the patient to psychically free himself from alcohol. Indeed, the patient will begin to enjoy his state of sobriety through several procedures, such as:
• Aversive stimulus techniques : This therapy combines the pleasant feeling of alcohol with an unpleasant feeling. This helps to develop, inside the patient's subconsciousness, a feeling of distastefulness for alcohol.
• Complementary techniques (such as neuromodulation) are offered by some clinics. Their effectiveness is not established by international guidelines; ask your doctor for the evidence and the risks.
• Psychotherapy : This step includes several techniques. However, it is mainly based on interviews between the psychotherapist and the patient in order to assess his behaviour.

Take the first step toward recovery today! Contact Turquie Santé to schedule your personalized assessment and start your alcohol addiction treatment in Turkey.

How can I avoid recidivism after my alcoholism treatment?

To help prevent relapse, the doctor may prescribe medication, chosen according to the patient (for example disulfiram, naltrexone or acamprosate),usually for several months to a year. These drugs have side effects and contraindications and are taken under medical supervision. Alcohol implants are not an established treatment and should not be presented as standard.

Post-treatment care is essential for preventing relapse. Indeed, the patient and his family must keep in touch with the hospital and the attending doctor for a year. It is also necessary to change its daily habits, to be examined regularly and to respect the prescribed doses of medication.

Why choosing an alcoholism treatment center in Turkey ?

Turquie Santé counsellors will assist you while choosing a clinic for your alcoholism treatment. Our partner clinics commit to :

• Respect for your personal life and your privacy.
• Respect for your medical confidentiality.
• Costs are itemised in your quote before your stay; ask what is and is not included..
• Compliance with international standards.
• Interpreters at your disposal.