MULTIDISCIPLINARY AWARENESS SYMPOSIUM IN HEALTH: “ADDICTION AND SOCIETY”

Addiction is a rapidly growing health problem in today’s societies, negatively impacting not only individuals’ physical and psychological well-being but also the structure of society as a whole. In order to raise awareness on this critical issue, our Faculty organized the "Addiction and Society" themed Multidisciplinary Awareness Symposium in Health at the Balkan Congress Center.

The symposium was attended by Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Dr. Özgül Erol, Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Prof. Dr. Aydan Ercan, along with academics and students.

The event began with a musical performance by the Trakya University State Conservatory Clarinet Trio Group. In her opening speech, Prof. Dr. Aydan Ercan, Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, emphasized the crucial distinction between preventive and therapeutic healthcare in the fight against addiction. She underlined that addiction is a deep-rooted issue affecting not just individuals but the entire society, and highlighted the need for improving preventive health services, increasing awareness, and producing sustainable solutions.

Dean Prof. Dr. Özgül Erol pointed out that addiction has become a major issue today. She explained that addiction leads to various diseases and functional disorders, thereby shortening life expectancy. Prof. Dr. Erol stressed that the symposium would address public health issues from the perspectives of various professionals and wished for a productive symposium.

Following the opening remarks, the first session titled “Psychiatry and Psychology in Addiction” commenced. Chaired by Dean Prof. Dr. Özgül Erol, the session featured presentations by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Erdal Vardar on “What is addiction? Why do people become addicted?” and Psychologist Yasin Erdoğan on “Psychosocial Causes of Addiction, Its Development Process and Treatment.”

After a break, the symposium continued with sessions on “Nutrition and Dietetics & Audiology in Addiction,” “Occupational Therapy in Addiction,” “Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in Addiction,” and “Health Management and Nursing in Addiction.”

The program concluded with the presentation of participation certificates to the speakers and the awarding of prizes to the winners of the photography competition.