Addiction Treatment in Turkey – MAT Program
Introduction to the MAT Program for Addiction Treatment in Turkey
Dr. Al-Akkad’s MAT Addiction Treatment Program in Turkey is an intensive, comprehensive, and fully individualized therapeutic program designed for each patient, based on the latest scientific approaches in addiction treatment.
The program is designed for individuals who suffer from time constraints or difficulty committing to long-term treatment programs and require a fast-paced, high-intensity yet deep and comprehensive recovery plan.
Addiction Treatment in Turkey – MAT Program
The program integrates:
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Psychotherapy
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Psychopharmacological treatment
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Cognitive rehabilitation
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Non-invasive neurostimulation techniques
The Three Core Pillars of the MAT Program
1. Intensive Treatment
The program is highly structured and delivered over four continuous weeks, with active daily therapeutic interventions to maximize benefit in the shortest possible time.
2. Individualized Treatment
No two patients receive the same protocol. Each treatment plan is built after a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s condition, needs, type of addiction, and associated challenges.
3. Integrative Treatment
Psychological, pharmacological, and social interventions are combined with neurostimulation and cognitive rehabilitation within one balanced and unified framework.
Program Duration and General Pathway
Duration: 4 full weeks.
The program includes:
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Detoxification with psychological and social support starting from day one.
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Gradual intensification of psychological and neurotherapeutic interventions from day 15 onward.
The MAT program goes beyond detoxification, addressing the roots of addiction at the level of the brain, behavior, emotions, and lifestyle.
Comprehensive Pre-Treatment Assessment
Before treatment begins, a full psychological, cognitive, and medical evaluation is conducted to create an accurate patient profile and develop a personalized treatment plan.
RITA Questionnaire
A proprietary electronic assessment developed by Dr. Al-Akkad’s medical team that screens all psychological disorders and determines their severity to ensure no co-existing condition is overlooked.
Biochemical Testing
Laboratory analyses assess the impact of addiction on body organs. Results are reviewed by internal medicine specialists, and medical treatment is adjusted as needed.
EEG – Electroencephalography
Used to detect electrical abnormalities in brain activity that may contribute to addiction or interfere with recovery.
QEEG – Quantitative EEG
Quantitative analysis of brain waves (Alpha, Beta, Delta, Theta) to better understand brain function and select appropriate neuro-interventions such as neurofeedback.
CNS Vital Signs
A computerized cognitive assessment measuring memory, processing speed, sustained attention, cognitive flexibility, executive function, and working memory, benchmarked by age and education.
EMG (for severe alcohol use cases)
Measures muscle strength and detects early alcohol-related nerve and muscle damage.
Based on these assessments, patients are generally classified into three main groups:
Cognitive Group
Characterized by difficulties in attention, memory, and self-regulation.
Emotional Group
Uses substances to escape stress, anxiety, depression, or emotional pain.
Impulsive Group
Marked by high impulsivity, risky behaviors, sensation seeking, or ADHD.
Each group receives a specialized treatment pathway within the program.
Shared Program Components for All Patients
In addition to individual and group therapy and medication management, the program includes:
Sensory and Physical Regulation
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Beach or nature walks starting from day 15 to improve body awareness and emotional regulation.
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“Craving Control Walks” in locations previously associated with alcohol use to train craving-management strategies.
Physical Activity
Light exercise begins after week two, four sessions per week, to support physical and psychological recovery.
Nutritional Psychoeducation
Sessions with a nutrition specialist focusing on foods that support neural recovery, reduce physical symptoms, and decrease cravings.
Art Therapy and Cultural Trips
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Art therapy three times weekly.
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Cultural outings twice weekly to support healthy reintegration into life.
Specialized Interventions – Cognitive Group
Cognitive Rehabilitation
A structured program targeting attention, memory, problem-solving, planning, and executive functions affected by addiction.
Aims to improve decision-making, treatment adherence, and relapse prevention.
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
Approximately 24 sessions during the program, supporting:
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Improved decision-making
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Enhanced working memory
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Reorganization of brain reward systems
Specialized Interventions – Emotional Group
1. Neurofeedback
Allows patients to observe real-time brain activity and learn self-regulation, helping normalize dysfunctional brain patterns. Particularly effective for anxiety, depression, mood instability, impulsivity, and low stress tolerance.
Examples include:
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Anxiety: regulating excessive beta activity
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Depression: correcting frontal asymmetry
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Mood swings: stabilizing EEG patterns
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Craving: modulating reward centers
2. Mindfulness
Effective for depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and mood disorders.
Helps patients observe thoughts and urges without acting on them, reducing cravings and improving emotional regulation.
3. Emotion Regulation Training
Teaches patients to:
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Identify and label emotions
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Manage emotional intensity instead of escaping through substances
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Tolerate negative emotions
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Replace automatic reactions with conscious responses
Specialized Interventions – Impulsive Group
Impulse Control Training
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Identifying impulsive behaviors and triggers
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Learning to pause before acting
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Developing healthy coping strategies
Mindfulness for Impulsivity
Helps interrupt automatic reactions and increases awareness before action.
Strengthens prefrontal cortex activity responsible for executive control.
tDCS
Reduces risky behaviors and impulsive decisions by modulating prefrontal cortex activity.
Substance-Specific Therapeutic Applications
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Cocaine Use
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Reduces cravings
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Lowers relapse rates
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Regulates dopamine pathways, especially the mesolimbic system
TMS for Methamphetamine Use
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Increases chances of sustained abstinence
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Reduces anxiety and depression common in this group
Ketamine Infusion Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorder
Used after detox, not during acute withdrawal. Most effective when combined with psychotherapy.
Helps with:
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Relapse reduction
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Craving suppression
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Alleviating anhedonia after cessation
Opioid Detox with Suboxone
A combination of buprenorphine and naloxone that facilitates detoxification and improves tolerance of withdrawal.
Additional Interventions and Post-Program Care
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Used selectively in cases such as bipolar disorder or severe psychiatric comorbidity, based on physician evaluation.
Aftercare Program
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Six weeks of follow-up, one session per week
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Optional long-acting injections every three months to prevent relapse
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In case of sudden intense cravings, patients may undergo an intensive 5-day TMS protocol
Conclusion – Addiction Treatment in Turkey: MAT Program
Ultimately, Dr. Al-Akkad’s MAT Addiction Treatment Program in Turkey is not merely a hospital stay—it is an intensive, science-based therapeutic journey targeting the brain, behavior, emotions, and body together.
Transformation begins on day one with comprehensive assessment, followed by a precise individualized plan, advanced psychological and neurotherapeutic interventions, and post-program follow-up to protect against relapse and help patients build a new life free from addiction.
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