Introduction: Why is Psychotherapy the Key to Success?
Addiction treatment is not complete by relying only on medical care or detoxification of the body; the patient also needs comprehensive psychological care that addresses the root of the problem. Addiction is often not just a physical dependence on a substance, but the result of deep psychological motives such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or even emotional emptiness.
Therefore, psychotherapy remains the cornerstone of any comprehensive addiction treatment program, as it addresses the real cause behind addictive behavior and provides the patient with new tools for living without relapse.

Exploring the Psychological Motives and Causes of Addiction
One of the key features of treatment programs in Turkey, especially under the supervision of Dr. Al-Akkad, is the continuous search for the psychological or social cause that led the patient to addiction.

• The cause may be depression or chronic anxiety.
• Sometimes it results from life pressures or traumatic experiences.
• In other cases, addiction is an attempt to escape family or professional problems.

Identifying this cause is the first step in creating a successful psychotherapy plan, because addressing the symptom without the root cause may lead to a quick relapse.

The Role of Psychologists in Supporting the Patient
In the centers supervised by Dr. Al-Akkad, a team of distinguished psychologists is responsible for supporting the patient on several levels:

• Individual sessions: where the therapist explores the deep motives behind addictive behavior.
• Motivational sessions: which help the patient regain self-confidence and the desire to change.
• Life skills development: such as anger management, coping with stress, and controlling emotions.

The goal of these sessions is not only to stop the addiction, but to reintegrate the patient into a normal, balanced life.

• The patient learns how to recognize and control these behaviors.
• They are trained to build new, healthy habits to replace destructive ones.
• They become more aware of their emotions and motives, reducing the risk of relapse.

Thus, psychotherapy becomes a tool for transforming life patterns entirely, not just a temporary treatment.

The Role of the Hospital in Family Education
An important additional advantage of Turkish centers is the focus on the family’s role.

• Families are educated on how to deal with their child or patient after treatment.
• They receive guidance sessions to understand addiction as a disease rather than just a lack of willpower.
• They are trained on how to deal with relapse if it occurs, and how to support the patient psychologically instead of judging them.

This way, the family becomes a key supportive element in the recovery journey, instead of being a source of pressure or relapse.

Comprehensive Assessment and Relapse Prevention
Psychotherapy is not limited to one or two sessions, but relies on continuous evaluation of the patient’s physical and psychological condition:

• Weekly reviews of progress.
• Monitoring the patient’s response to sessions.
• Adjusting the treatment plan as needed.

A preventive plan is also designed to prevent relapse, including:

• Training the patient to recognize early signs of relapse.
• Setting strategies for dealing with triggering situations.
• Providing ongoing follow-up after leaving the center.

Modern Psychological Methods in Addiction Treatment
Addiction psychotherapy in Turkey is based on integrating several therapeutic approaches, providing patients with a personalized program that addresses their condition from all aspects.

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
   What is it?
   One of the most common and effective methods in addiction treatment.

How does it work?
It helps patients to:

• Identify negative thoughts that lead to addiction.
• Replace these thoughts with positive thinking patterns.
• Build strategies to face stress and triggers.

The result:
Reduced craving for drugs or alcohol and increased self-control.

2. Family Therapy
   Why is the family important?
   Because addiction often harms family relationships, and sometimes the family environment is a cause of addiction.

What does family therapy include?

• Joint sessions between the patient and family members.
• Resolving conflicts and rebuilding trust.
• Training families in proper support methods.

The effect:
When the family becomes a genuine support system, the likelihood of relapse decreases significantly.

3. Group Therapy
   Concept:
   Several patients meet with a specialized psychotherapist to share experiences and support each other.

Benefits:

• Breaks the feeling of isolation.
• Learning from others’ experiences.
• Building a social support network that strengthens recovery.

Real-life example:
One patient stated that sharing his experience in a group session was a turning point, as he felt for the first time that he was not alone in his struggle.

4. Individual Therapy
   Content:
   Private sessions between the patient and psychotherapist.

Goals:

• Delving into the patient’s deep personal motives for addiction.
• Addressing traumas or experiences they may not want to share publicly.
• Designing a precise, personalized treatment plan.

Advantage:
Provides a safe space for the patient to speak honestly without judgment or stigma.

5. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)
   What is it?
   A modern technique that stimulates specific brain regions using magnetic waves.

Where is it used?
For treating depression and mood disorders associated with addiction.

Result:
Improved mood and enhanced effectiveness of traditional psychotherapy.

6. Mindfulness Therapy
   Concept:
   Training the patient to focus on the present instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

Method:
Through breathing exercises, meditation, and moment-to-moment awareness.

Effect:
Reduces stress and cravings for relapse.

7. Art and Music Therapy
   Goal:
   To open non-verbal channels for expressing emotions.

Method:

• Artistic activities such as painting or music.
• Helps patients express trauma or suppressed thoughts.

Result:
Encourages positive psychological states and increases engagement with therapy.

A patient may start with Detox sessions → then move to CBT → followed by group and family therapy → and finally receive supportive treatment such as Mindfulness or rTMS.

This integration makes treatment more comprehensive and tailored to each patient’s needs.

The Role of Specialists in Applying These Methods
Psychologists trained in Turkey have extensive experience in using these tools:

• They conduct a full assessment before starting the program.
• They determine which type of therapy is most suitable for each case.
• They adjust the program continuously according to the patient’s response.

Dr. Al-Akkad’s Approach to Psychotherapy

• Integration: Psychotherapy runs in parallel with medical treatment.
• Flexibility: The plan is designed to fit the patient’s condition, not applied as a fixed template.
• Sustainability: The goal is not only to treat symptoms, but to build a new personality capable of facing life.

Psychotherapy Plans: More Time for Deeper Results
Psychotherapy cannot be shortened into just a few days, as it requires a radical change in behaviors and thoughts. For this reason, the centers supervised by Dr. Al-Akkad focus on two main plans: a 15-day program and a full one-month program, with the option of extending for an additional week depending on the case evaluation.

1. 15-Day Program
Target group: Patients who have completed detoxification and need short-term, intensive psychological support.

Content:

• Intensive individual sessions to uncover the deep motives of addiction.
• Daily (or near-daily) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) sessions.
• Group and family therapy sessions to prepare a supportive environment.
• Practical training on relapse prevention strategies.

Goal: To provide the patient with a strong psychological foundation that helps them face life’s pressures and return to their family with confidence.

2. Full One-Month Program (30 Days)
Target group: Chronic cases or those with repeated relapses.

Content:

• A comprehensive psychotherapy plan lasting one month.
• A mix of CBT, family therapy, and group therapy.
• Supportive therapeutic activities such as Mindfulness or art therapy.
• Close monitoring to measure psychological and behavioral progress.

Goal: To bring about a comprehensive and sustainable change in the patient’s personality and behavior.

Extension option: In some cases, an extra week is added after the month if the medical team believes the patient needs further psychological support before returning to normal life.

Confidentiality of Psychotherapy Sessions
All sessions are conducted with complete confidentiality to protect the patient from any social stigma.

• Information is only accessible to the direct treatment team.
• This confidentiality gives the patient full freedom to express their feelings and problems without fear.

The Hospital’s Role in Family Education
A key feature of these programs is that the hospital not only treats the patient but also educates their family:

• Teaching the family how to deal with their child or patient after discharge.
• Explaining relapse prevention strategies and how to handle triggers.
• Special sessions with relatives to understand addiction as a disease that requires support, not judgment.

Real Success Stories

• A young former addict joined the 15-day program and, thanks to daily sessions and family support, was able to return to his studies after years of interruption.
• A man in his forties joined the one-month program, which was extended by an extra week; today he lives a stable life and participates in support groups to help others.

Supervision of Dr. Al-Akkad: Guarantee of Sustainable Recovery

• Dr. Al-Akkad personally reviews all treatment plans.
• He monitors each patient’s progress daily through detailed reports.
• He ensures integration of psychotherapy with the medical and social aspects.
• He oversees the follow-up plan even after the patient’s discharge, to minimize any risk of relapse.