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18/10/2024

5th Istanbul Initiative Summit Brought Together Leading Names on Addiction and Public Health

Istanbul Initiative is a global network of NGOs dedicated to advocating for prevention and recovery efforts. Launched with its first summit in 2019, the initiative focuses on preventing addictions and developing sustainable public health policies. The 5th Istanbul Initiative Summit was held on October 8-9, 2024, ahead of World Mental Health Day. This two-day hybrid event was held at the headquarters of the Turkish Green Crescent Society, with more than 50 participants from over 30 countries. During the 5th Istanbul Initiative Meeting, Country Green Crescents also participated and shared their knowledge and experiences in the field of addiction from Jordan, Albania, Somalia, and Ethiopia, South Africa, and Nigeria. Representatives from various countries delivered impactful presentations on addiction prevention strategies and successful practices. The event concluded with closing speeches from Türkiye's Minister of Family and Social Services, Ms. Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, and the Deputy President of the Turkish Green Crescent Society, Ms. Sümeyye Ceylan. With its commitment to collaboration and innovative approaches, the Istanbul Initiative remains a key platform for advancing efforts in addiction prevention and public health worldwide.

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TECHNOLOGY ADDICTION

Addiction is the loss of control over an object or action that an individual uses, leading them to be unable to live without it. In other words, willpower diminishes in usage and behavior and the person continues the addictive usage or behavior whether they want to or not. Technology addiction is the condition where technology controls a person. The misuse of technology negatively affects individuals' physical, psychological, social, intellectual and spiritual development. The International Federation of Green Crescent (IFGC) acknowledges the importance of technology in our daily lives but emphasizes that technology addiction is a critical risk for modern individuals. Consequently, Country Green Crescents which are members of the International Federation of Green Crescent are globally tackling technology addiction.

Who controls people?

In today's world, human life is rapidly digitizing and the rational use of digital devices greatly facilitates life. However, excessive use of digital devices can deplete the benefits gained, rapidly deplete time and well-being and even lead to technology addiction. Digital devices such as phones, computers, smart devices and gaming consoles have become an integral part of our lives, and spending hours using them has become a normal habit for many people.

Perceiving this abnormal behavior as normal leads many individuals to continue their lives without even realizing they are developing addiction to technology. Technology addiction is the condition where technology controls a person.

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What are the Symptoms of Technology Addiction?

It should cause significant distress and impairment in functionality from a clinical perspective. Some symptoms of technology addiction include:

• Spending hours claiming it's just a few minutes

• Lying about the time spent in front of screens to others

• Complaining about physical problems due to prolonged computer use

• Adopting an anonymous persona, preferring online communication over face-to-face

• Sacrificing meals, classes or appointments to go online

• Feeling guilty when away from the computer but experiencing pleasure and oscillating between these two feelings

• Feeling tense and vacant when away from their computers

• Staying on the computer until late at night

What are the Effects of Technology Addiction?

Technology addiction can lead to increased physical complaints in the social field for individuals. Some of these complaints include:

Physical Complaints

• Burning eyes

• Neck pain and stiffness

• Posture problems

• Numbness in the hands

• Fatigue

Social Complaints

• Decreased academic achievement

• Personal, family and school problems

• Failure in time management

• Sleep disorders

• Lack of appetite

• Decrease in activities

• Isolation except for online friends

+Methods to Control Addiction

• Change daily internet usage hours

• Prepare weekly schedules for internet usage and ensure adherence

• Implement methods such as support groups or family therapy

• Encourage writing activities that the individual wants to do but hasn't found the opportunity for and ask them to do one of those activities when they strongly desire to use the internet

What to Do?

Key points in preventing technology addiction include:

• Directing children to meet their friends naturally and socialize within peer groups

• Directing children to sports that match their talents and interests

• Supporting children's friendships, planning activities that bring them together

• Controlling a child's computer usage and getting to know their online friends

• Ensuring secure internet applications on computers

What Not to Do?

Some points to be careful about in preventing technology addiction are:

• Never using devices like smartphones/tablets to comfort or silence children

• Not allowing children to use the internet without control for an extended period

• Not serving a child in front of a computer during meal and tea times, encouraging them to join you

How Do Green Crescent Counseling Centers Support Technology Addiction?

Green Crescent Counseling Centers provide free support to individuals aged 12 and over to overcome technology addiction. Meetings are held with both the individual and their family. The main goal of these meetings is to reduce smartphone use, online gaming and internet usage to levels that will not adversely affect the individual's life.

"Children or tablets are a good way to keep children busy."

When phones and tablets are used under family control, they benefit your children. However, when used alone for long hours without family control, it can lead to problems such as attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, speech disorders, anger and aggression.

Undoubtedly, reaching the point of addiction does not happen suddenly; it progresses step by step. These steps are serious and important signs that addiction is developing. Therefore, monitoring and controlling these steps are crucial to prevent and stop addiction before it starts.

More Latest News

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On August 21, 2024, the 5th Youth Advocacy Forum was held, bringing together young participants aged 18-30 from various countries. The forum, which focused on the theme of "Electronic Cigarettes and Electronic Products" was also graced by the presence of representatives from different Green Crescent organizations. Among them, Muhammad Galaev, Head of the Youth Information Block at Dagestan Green Crescent, delivered a remarkable and insightful speech, drawing attention to his personal experiences. In his address, Mr. Galaev reflected on his participation in the 67th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), which was organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). He shared key moments from a particularly meaningful side event he attended, titled “The Role of Sports and Mental Health in Preventing Addiction.” His reflections underscored the importance of promoting mental well-being and encouraging active lifestyles as effective strategies in protecting individuals from substance abuse. Moreover, Mr. Galaev took the opportunity to express his heartfelt appreciation for the unwavering support provided by the International Federation of Green Crescent Societies during the CND. He emphasized how the Federation’s presence and contributions at such global platforms enhance the visibility of civil society’s role in advocating for healthier, addiction-free communities. The forum proved to be a significant platform for young advocates, allowing them to exchange experiences, raise awareness on pressing issues like electronic nicotine delivery systems, and discuss collaborative solutions aimed at preventing addiction in future generations.

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Green Crescent provides scholarship support to master's, doctoral and medical residency students conducting thesis research on tobacco-cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, technology, gambling and other addiction forms at universities, institutes and research centers outside of Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The aim is to contribute to Green Crescent's areas of addiction research.Green Crescent aims to be a source for national and international efforts against addiction, fostering scientific research to contribute to addiction literature, aid in the development of policies and action plans, and support the growth of young researchers. To achieve this goal, Green Crescent has launched the International Graduate Thesis Research Scholarship Support Program, starting in 2024, to provide support for qualitative and quantitative research in many fields from health sciences to social sciences. The scholarship program offers a total of USD 3600 for master's students and USD 7200 for doctoral and medical residency students. The application deadline for the program is June 30, 2024.Green Crescent’s International Graduate Thesis Research Scholarship Support Program will consider thesis research in the following areas: Tobacco Use and Addiction Drug Use and Addiction Alcohol Use and Addiction Technology Use and Addiction Gambling and other forms of behavioral addiction In the 2024/U1 Period International Graduate Thesis Research Scholarship Support Program, Green Crescent will provide scholarship support in line with its strategic plan and goals for research in the specified following areas:Alcohol Addiction Evaluations of the effectiveness of alcohol consumption prevention efforts among young people National and international legal regulations on alcohol consumption and implementation results The effect of family values on alcohol consumption The effect of alcohol industry activities on alcohol addiction The effect of alcohol on public health in the context of violence and traffic accidents The effects of alcohol use in OECD countries in the context of developed and developing countries Problems caused by alcohol use in traffic The activities of the alcohol industry on social media platforms The effect of the pandemic period on alcohol addiction Tobacco Addiction Studies on the frequency of use of electronic cigarettes/heated tobacco products Etiological studies on electronic cigarettes/heated tobacco products Assessments of knowledge, attitude and behavior on the use of electronic cigarettes/heated tobacco products The effects of electronic cigarettes/heated tobacco products on human health Assessments of knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to hookah use Evaluations of the effectiveness of tobacco use prevention efforts Studies on the effects of flat packaging Evaluations of the effectiveness of smoking cessation services on a national and international basis. National and international legal regulations on the consumption of tobacco products and implementation results Regional activities of the tobacco industry and their impact on consumption behavior Comparative studies examining the transposition of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control into domestic legal systems Studies examining the opinions of smokers and health sector workers on the inclusion of electronic cigarettes in smoking cessation practices Studies on passive smoking Studies on tobacco control policy instruments in Türkiye and the world (e.g. price and taxation, sales procedures, age restrictions, etc.) The effect of the pandemic period on tobacco addiction Studies examining the relationship between infectious diseases and tobacco products Ethical problems that will arise from the tobacco industry's positioning in the health sector (with new statuses such as pharmaceutical companies) Current status, setbacks and needs in smokefree airspace implementations Research examining the reasons for the recent increase in the prevalence of tobacco use among women in all age groups Studies investigating compliance with smoke-free airspaces Drug Addiction Investigating factors influencing the use of different drugs Etiological studies on the causes of drug addiction Studies on the frequency of cannabis use among university youth/ Studies on the frequency of drug use among university youth Evaluations of the effectiveness of activities to prevent drug use among youth The effects of drug use/multiple drug use on public health (e.g. unemployment, discord in family life, dropping out of education, etc.) Studies to develop reintegration models that would enable individuals with a history of drug abuse/addiction to take part in business life Examination of trends in the misuse and abuse of prescribed medicines Studies for the development of analytical methods for the detection of new psychoactive/drug substances Studies that examine regional trends in the legalization of drugs Studies comparing the  drug policies of Türkiye with those of regional and global organizations Studies examining the role of civil society organizations in the fight against drug addiction in the context of international examples Problems caused by drug use in traffic Studies investigating the abuse of addictive drugs and active substances in the health sector The effects of the pandemic on drug addiction Prodrug use and preventive studies Drug use in women/pregnant women and its effect on infants/neonatal mortality Investigating the effects of parental drug use on children and the family structure Investigating the frequency and reasons for drug use among children/youth raised without parents Drug use among disadvantaged individuals and examples of preventive good practices Behavioral Addictions (Studies on digital gaming, gambling, excessive use of social media, excessive use of smartphones and online pornography) Etiological studies on the causes of behavioral addictions (Example: Genetic factors, psychopathology, environmental factors, peer relationships, mental resilience, etc.). Studies on the prevalence of behavioral addictions on a large scale National/international policies and legal regulations on behavioral addictions DSM-5 or ICD-11 based scale development studies on behavioral addictions Studies on the treatment of behavioral addictions (psychotherapy and medical/pharmacological treatment) Studies examining the relationship between digital game addiction and gambling addiction The effects of the pandemic on behavioral addictions Studies supporting the conscious use of technology in school-age children General Studies that examine the effectiveness of psychotherapeutical approaches in addiction treatment practices Studies that examine the moral and philosophical dimensions of addictions Studies that examine the relationship between family relationships and addiction processes (e.g. domestic violence, etc.) Spirituality-based approaches in prevention and treatment practices related to addictions Social work activities related to addictions Comparisons of the social policies among countries on addiction Substance abuse and addictions in the workplace (alcohol, illicit substances, digital gaming and gambling addiction) Examining the effectiveness of prevention activities related to addiction Studies that examine the level of knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals regarding addictions Possible effects of energy drinks on young people Studies examining the relationship between addiction and criminal behavior Relationship between consumption and addiction Relationship between addiction and venues Social and economic impacts of practices and policies related to addictions Examination of the changes in the social and emotional behavior of individuals (adolescents, young people) under treatment and intervention: Longitudinal study For detailed information on the 2024/U1 Period International Graduate Thesis Research Scholarship Support Program, you can refer to the application guide provided below. The scholarship results are expected to be announced within a minimum of 3 months from the application deadline.For further inquiries, you can contact scholarship@yesilay.org.tr for detailed information.International Scholarship Application Guide:https://www.yesilay.org.tr/assets/uploads/pdf/international-scholarship-application-guide-v2.pdf International Graduate Thesis Research Scholarship Support Program Application Form:https://www.yesilay.org.tr/assets/uploads/pdf/international-graduate-thesis-research-scholarship-support-program-application-form.docx 

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