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20/02/2025

Substance Addiction and Recovery Webinar

The first webinar of 2025, "Substance Addiction and Recovery - Practical Approaches from YEDAM," will be held on February 20, 2025, from 12:00 to 13:00 (GMT +3) for Country Green Crescent representatives During this session: o   The psychological and social effects of addiction, risk factors, early intervention methods, and recovery processes will be discussed. o   YEDAM's free counseling services in alcohol, substance, gambling, tobacco, and İnternet addiction will be introduced. o   Comprehensive solutions such as psycho-social support, family therapy, case analysis, and life skills training will be explained in detail. o   Findings from case studies and best practices from the field will be shared. Starting this year, IFGC aim to hold more interactive sessions to increase engagement. Country Green Crescent representatives are welcome to share their thoughts, questions, and best practices before the webinar.

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02/05/2025

IFGC Forum Concludes with Honourable Attendance of President Erdoğan
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BEHAVIORAL ADDICTIONS

When discussing addictions, many immediately think of substance addictions such as alcohol, drugs, nicotine or painkillers. However, the concept of addictive behaviors is often overlooked, leading individuals to unwittingly face behavioral disorders due to their addictions. Country Green Crescents, operating under the International Federation of Green Crescent, offer support to individuals tackling various forms of behavioral addiction, such as compulsive shopping, internet gaming and codependency.

The term behavioral addiction refers to an individual developing an intense attraction or compulsive inclination towards a specific behavior. These types of addictions arise when certain behaviors trigger the brain's reward and pleasure mechanism through repetition.

Addictions are typically divided into two primary categories: behavioral and chemical. Behavioral addictions represent situations where individuals experience discomfort, but the condition does not stem from substance use; instead, it revolves around specific behaviors. In such cases, individuals may find pleasure, relaxation and a sense of well-being when engaging in certain behaviors. However, if these behaviors lead to adverse outcomes, individuals may lose control over them, experience a weakened willpower and become mentally and physically consumed, indicating a behavioral addiction.

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Individuals with addiction often find their behaviors psychologically satisfying or enjoyable. However, feelings of guilt, remorse or anger may follow, leaving them feeling helpless due to the consequences of their ongoing choices. Coping with behavioral addictions can be challenging, as individuals often struggle to quit or reduce a specific behavior or action without treatment or intervention, leading to unsuccessful attempts to quit.

Numerous studies in the literature highlight the distinction between investigating the action that triggers addiction and its pathological level of use, compared to chemical addictions. While chemical addictions are characterized by tolerance and withdrawal, these physical symptoms may not be as evident in behavioral addictions. However, they still manifest to some extent. For a behavior to be considered addictive, it must encompass criteria such as mental preoccupation, mood variability, tolerance, withdrawal, interpersonal conflict and repetition.

Key symptoms of behavioral addictions include an incessant need to engage in the behavior, persistence for longer periods and more frequently than planned, spending excessive time engaging in the behavior, unsuccessful attempts to control, quit or reduce it, negative consequences on work, family and academic success, efforts to increase the frequency and intensity of the behavior and feelings of tension, restlessness or anxiety when the behavior is not performed. Behavioral addictions, such as technology addiction, food addiction, gambling addiction and sex addiction, exhibit these defining characteristics.

At the core of behavioral addictions lies individuals' inability to resist the urge or allure of engaging in harmful actions towards themselves or others. Each behavioral addiction is characterized by a repetitive behavior pattern demonstrating this fundamental feature in a specific area. These behaviors interfere with functionality in other areas when repeated, resembling substance use disorders in this regard. Individuals with substance addictions report difficulty resisting the urge to drink alcohol or use drugs.

Both behavioral and substance addictions share many similarities in terms of their natural history, phenomenology and adverse outcomes. Typically emerging in adolescence and young adulthood, they are more prevalent in these age groups than in older adults. Both behavioral and substance addictions exhibit a natural course characterized by chronic and recurring patterns. However, many individuals can achieve self-recovery without formal treatment, a phenomenon known as "spontaneous remission".

There are noticeable similarities in how behavioral and substance addictions manifest. People grappling with behavioral addiction often describe experiencing a kind of urge or craving before engaging in their behaviors, much like individuals with substance use disorders. Additionally, these behaviors typically aim to alleviate anxiety and can result in a sense of euphoria or a "high," similar to substance intoxication. Emotional instability can contribute to increased cravings in both behavioral addictions and substance use disorders. For instance, individuals experiencing pathological gambling, kleptomania, compulsive sexual behavior and compulsive buying often mention a decrease in the positive effects of their behaviors with repetition or a need to intensify the behavior to achieve the same effect, similar to building a tolerance.

The inclination of behavioral addictions to trigger financial and marital problems mirrors similar challenges seen in substance use disorders. Individuals with behavioral addictions, much like those with substance use disorders, may resort to illegal activities to fund their addictive behaviors or cope with the repercussions of their actions.

Resources:

Grant, John. E. “Introduction to Behavioral Addictions,” The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse 2010 Sept.; 36(5): 233–241.

Murphy, Edmund. “Behavioral Addictions”, 26 May 2023.

Turkish Green Crescent Society

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The International Federation of Green Crescent (IFGC) successfully held its 5th Ordinary General Assembly on April 1, 2025, bringing together representatives from national Green Crescent organizations across the globe. The Assembly marked an important milestone in the Federation’s journey, with the election of new leadership and governance bodies, the approval of key amendments to the IFGC Charter, and the admission of new member organizations. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Dinç was elected as the new President of IFGC, and Amb. Dr. Mehmet Güllüoğlu was appointed as Secretary General. The Federation extends its sincere appreciation to all member organizations for their active participation, valuable contributions, and continued dedication to a healthier, addiction-free world. The General Assembly also approved several amendments to the IFGC Charter to enhance organizational effectiveness, strengthen governance, and better respond to global public health challenges. Board Structures for the 2025–2027 Term Board of Directors – Permanent Members Türkiye – Türkiye Yeşilay Vakfı Bulgaria – Yeshilay Bulgaria Association Australia – Green Crescent Australia Türkiye – Türkiye Yeşilay Cemiyeti Uganda – Uganda Green Crescent Society Serbia – Zeleni Krst - Zeleni Polumsejec Syria – Suriye Yeşilay Derneği Indonesia – Yayasan Green Crescent Indonesia Dagestan (RF) – Green Crescent Board of Directors – Substitute Members Austria – Verein Neubeginn Suchtprävention Ethiopia – Ethiopian Green Crescent Organization Lebanon – Stardom Association (Al Najm) Azerbaijan – Zererli Verdişlere Qarşı İctimai Birliyi Jordan – The Jordan Anti Drugs Society Albania – Fondacioni "Yesilay" Thailand – Green Crescent Thailand Supervisory Board (2025–2027) Permanent Members Zambia – Green Crescent Zambia North Macedonia – Zdruzenie Jesilaj Na Rsm Iraq – Ibn Sina Foundation for Improvement and Sustainable Development North Cyprus – Kıbrıs Türk Yeşilay Derneği Bosnia and Herzegovina – Udruzenje Gradjana Zeleni Polumjesec u Bosni i Hercegovini Substitute Members Bangladesh – Health and Economy Morocco – Croisan Vert Morocain Kosovo – Kosova Yeşilay Cemiyeti (Shoqëria Hana e Gjelbërt e Kosovës) High Advisory Board (2025–2027) General President of IFGC Previous President of IFGC Malaysia – Pertubuhan Bulan Sabit Hijau Malaysia Nigeria – Green Crescent Health Development Initiative Brazil – Conectados Pela Vida Tunisia – Madinaty Kyrgyzstan – Caşıl Ay Koomu South Africa – Green Crescent South Africa Sri Lanka – Green Crescent Foundation With renewed leadership and strengthened international cooperation, the Federation continues to advance its mission of promoting public health and addiction prevention worldwide.

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The 8th International Capacity Building Program, organized under the leadership of the International Federation of Green Crescent (IFGC) and hosted by the Turkish Green Crescent Society, successfully brought together civil society leaders and public health experts from around the world. Held between April 30 and May 2, 2025, at the Green Crescent Headquarters in Istanbul, the program welcomed 120 participants from 60 countries. Over the course of three days, participants engaged in 12 workshops led by field experts and benefited from insights shared by 42 distinguished speakers, including representatives from Country Green Crescents. Key topics included capacity development, project design, destigmatization in treatment and recovery, and international advocacy—offering a rich platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration in the field of addiction prevention. Day 1: Opening Remarks and Collaborative Spirit The event began with keynote speeches from the Turkish Green Crescent Society and the International Federation of Green Crescent. Delegates from different countries gathered to share their knowledge and experiences, sending a message of solidarity and cooperation. Morning sessions featured global experts discussing addiction treatment, recovery processes, volunteerism, and public health. Notable contributions came from Esbjorn Hornberg (Movendi International), Dr. Hamad Al Ghafri (International Society of Addiction Medicine), Dr. Dzmitry Krupchanka (World Health Organization), Karen Peters (UNODC), and Guglielmo Schinina (International Organization for Migration), who addressed topics ranging from global prevention strategies to substance use among displaced populations. The day continued with parallel training sessions focused on prevention strategies and concluded with a social gathering including a Bosphorus cruise and gala dinner at night. Day 2: Thematic Deep Dives and Country Spotlights The second day began with international panel sessions exploring topics such as tobacco control, alcohol policies, technology addiction, and the preventive role of civil society. Speakers including Cornel Radu-Loghin (European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention), Florence Berteletti (European Alcohol Policy Alliance), and Dr. Tasnim Atatrah (World Health Organization, Turkey Office) shared insights on policy coherence, multisectoral collaboration, and regional approaches. Through parallel workshops, participants engaged with themes relevant to their specific interests. Representatives from Green Crescent Health Development Initiative (Nigeria), Everest Green Crescent (Nepal), and Turkish Green Crescent Society presented successful practices and fieldwork examples, contributing to a robust exchange of on-the-ground experiences. Day 3: Education, Sustainability, and Gender Sensitivity The final day started with a session highlighting the role of trainers in awareness-raising efforts. The agenda moved on to key themes like sustainable financing, gender-sensitive approaches, and international educational collaborations. A workshop led by Jan Peloza (Impact Hub Ljubljana) focused on practical strategies for sustainable resource mobilization. Institutions like UNODC ROSEE, UN Women, Africa House, and the Maarif Foundation added depth to the discussions and emphasized collaborative pathways for future engagement. Green Crescents from Stardom Association (Lebanon), Pertubuhan Bulan Sabit Hijau Malaysia, and Thai Green Crescent shared innovative projects aimed at empowering youth, and enhancing intercultural collaboration. These presentations provided a wealth of practical insights, showcasing real-world impact and cross-border learning. If you want to reach the Program Agenda please click

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