Story By: Feza Uzay, Sub-Editor: Joe Golder, Agency: Newsflash
Turkish doctors are currently testing drug and alcohol addiction treatments on gambling addicts and the initial results look promising.
The treatments are being conducted by doctors at the Pembe Kosk Psychiatric Hospital in the town of Lapta in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Two types of treatments are used on addicted patients, immunotherapy and another involving a chip placed under the skin.
Hospital physician Prof. Dr. Mehmet Cakici told the news source DHA: “The chip is placed under the skin in 5 minutes with a one-centimetre incision under the navel and it is then stitched up.
“It can protect the person for three to six months from alcohol and drugs, and now also gambling addiction.”
Regarding the immunotherapy vaccine, he said: “The recent emergence of this method, which effectively reduces the desire to gamble, opens a new era in patient recovery.”
He added that these vaccine treatments have been proven effective in treating drug and alcohol addiction for between three months and a year, and they are now seeing the same results in gambling addicts.
Prof. Dr. Cakici emphasised that although very effective, these treatments alone are not enough. Social and psychological support is also needed and is provided by highly-trained professionals in the treatment centre that is strategically located in a soothing nature spot.
He points out that rehabilitation programmes lasting one, three, or six months are the most effective treatment for the majority of addicts.
One hospital patient, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “I have been here for a month. I was addicted to drugs and gambling.
“I am thinking of getting the immunotherapy treatment here for four or five months.
“I’ve heard about many people recovering from their addictions. I want to leave mine here.”
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