İstanbul Addiction Academy is a multidisciplinary group composed of professionals working in the addiction field. It was established by Prof. Dr. Kültegin Ogel and Clinical Psychologist Melike Simsek. The aim of the İstanbul Addiction Academy is to increase awareness of addiction in society and among professionals in the field, to provide information, to conduct prevention activities and to disseminate intervention methods.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

At the societal level:

- Increase awareness of addiction and inform society about the problem.
- Strive to bring new perspectives to people dealing with any kind of addiction.
- Prepare and implement prevention programs and provide trainings on this topic.
- Advocate for addiction-related issues.

At the professional level:

- Inform and raise awareness about addiction among professionals.
- Organize trainings and meetings.
- Develop innovative tools to support clinical approaches.
- Facilitate communication among professionals working in different settings.
- Conduct research that can guide clinical approaches.
- Keep professionals updated on new research and developments.

ACTIVITES AND PROGRAMS

Selected activities (for professionals):

- We make announcements through the Addiction Academy Instagram account (@bagimlilikakademisi).
- We organize a multidisciplinary training program called "Approach to Addiction Training" every two months.
- We established and manage a WhatsApp group to develop a network.
- We publish a monthly newsletter called the Addiction Newspaper to increase awareness.

Programs we have developed (for professionals):

- We developed a standardized addiction intervention program called BİBAP, consisting of 8 sessions, to be applied on an individual level.
- We developed an emotional regulation training program called DUDE, consisting of 8 sessions, to be used in the field of addiction.
- We developed a standardized addiction intervention program called KİBAP specifically for female addicts.
- We developed and implement psychoeducational programs on family genograms, non-judgmental awareness and sleep hygiene for use in the field of addiction.
- We developed a Short Intervention Program for addiction intervention.

Tools we have developed (for professionals):

- We developed a scale to assess stages of change and levels of change, along with related research.
- We developed a scale to identify co-dependence, which is a significant issue in addiction and conducted research on it.
- We created and manage a website called www.bibapsoft.org, which includes a client management system and assessment scales specifically for addiction.
- We established a website called www.bagimlilik.org to provide professionals with easy access to addiction-related information.
- We developed an app called takipet.info for clients to track their daily cigarette, alcohol, substance, gambling, and internet use.
- We developed and use a survey research website to conduct various studies and surveys with clients and to educate them on different topics.

Programs and Activities at the Societal Level

- We created a website called www.onleme.org that provides information on preventing addiction.
- We established a website called www.kumarbagimliligi.org to provide accurate information about gambling addiction for both gamblers and their significant others.
- We make announcements through the Addiction Academy Instagram account (@bagimlilikakademisi).
- We prepared slide sets on addiction prevention that include different types of addiction for parents.
- We developed a training program called "Addiction Awareness for Workplaces" to increase awareness and intervention opportunities regarding addiction in workplaces.
- We developed and implement an interactive prevention program called Life Park for high school students.
- We developed and implement a classroom program aimed at preventing addiction for high school students.

BOOKS

We published a book titled “Practical Approach to Addiction” for specialists.