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Earthquake and Addictive Behavior


Istanbul Gelisim University Faculty of Health Sciences Lecturer, and Clinical Psychologist Selin KALABAŞ suggested that it is important to pay attention to addictive behaviors after the earthquake disaster affecting 11 provinces.


“The earthquake has various effects on both physical and mental health,” Kalabaş said. There are also long-term effects on the well-being of earthquake victims, including post-traumatic stress disorder and exacerbation of bipolar disorder. Even small earthquakes that cause little damage or destruction can cause emotional distress in people. Aftershocks can last for months and have adverse effects on individuals.
 
Earthquakes are also a disturbing natural phenomenon that can disrupt normal health-related behaviors. Many studies show an increase in alcohol and substance use after the earthquake. Substance abuse is a common disorder reported in the setting of catastrophic disasters. He also suggested that, according to studies, disasters rarely increase the prevalence of substance use disorders. Instead, increased alcohol abuse after the disaster often reflects an exacerbation of existing abuse rather than new-onset disorders. Many studies have investigated this association with alcohol use behaviors and have reported an increased prevalence of alcohol abuse after major earthquakes.
 
Scientific research has revealed that addiction stems from the way it changes the brain and negatively affects the brain's survival center, the amygdala. As a result, addicted people will not hesitate to put themselves in certain dangerous situations if it means that they can feed their addiction. Dangerous situations such as being left behind during a natural disaster are considered no exception.
 
Another important point to consider regarding natural disasters and addiction is that a natural disaster can cause trauma that leads to substance abuse. Natural disasters such as fire, hurricanes, hurricanes, earthquakes, or tsunamis can create a significant amount of stress and fear in a person's life and result in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This is thought to be because of the way natural disasters can affect a person's physical, mental, emotional, and psychological health.
 
Drug addiction is an international health crisis prevalent in developed and developing societies. Immediately after a disaster such as an earthquake, addicts face physical symptoms and psychological crises and seek out illegal drugs.
 
If individuals have had problems with substance abuse after a natural disaster, help is available. Treatment options include inpatient, outpatient, substance abuse counseling, one-on-one therapy sessions, group sessions, support groups, and building a trusted support network of positive people.


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