Understanding support options

Compares support approaches for depression and for addiction separately, using the same questions: their aim, how they are carried out, the research they draw on, their limits and questions you could ask a professional.

Who it is for: General readers and people close to them
Limits of this section: This section does not choose or rank an approach for you. It is meant to help you prepare to discuss options with a professional.

Depression

Psychotherapy

Aim of the approach: To examine links among thoughts, feelings, behaviour and life circumstances, and support skills aligned with the person’s goals.
How it is carried out: It may use structured or more exploratory sessions depending on the approach and need; goals and progress are reviewed collaboratively.
Research it draws on: Guidelines consider different psychotherapies alongside depression severity, personal preferences and previous experience.
Limitations and uncertainty: No single approach produces the same result for everyone; access, the therapeutic relationship, co-occurring difficulties and quality of delivery may affect outcomes.
Questions you could ask a professional: What is the aim of this approach? How is progress reviewed? How would the plan change if needs change?

Medication assessment

Aim of the approach: To discuss with a physician whether medication may be appropriate in light of symptoms, functioning, health and other care.
How it is carried out: Assessment, prescribing and follow-up are carried out by a physician, with benefits, adverse effects and preferences monitored.
Research it draws on: Guidelines consider medication alone or with psychological approaches among options tailored to the person’s circumstances.
Limitations and uncertainty: Benefits and adverse effects vary; starting, stopping or changing a dose requires individual medical assessment.
Questions you could ask a professional: What benefits and adverse effects are expected? When will treatment be reviewed? How are interactions with other medicines considered?

Depression · The table can be scrolled horizontally
Approach	Aim of the approach	How it is carried out	Research it draws on	Limitations and uncertainty	Questions you could ask a professional
Psychotherapy	To examine links among thoughts, feelings, behaviour and life circumstances, and support skills aligned with the person’s goals.	It may use structured or more exploratory sessions depending on the approach and need; goals and progress are reviewed collaboratively.	Guidelines consider different psychotherapies alongside depression severity, personal preferences and previous experience.	No single approach produces the same result for everyone; access, the therapeutic relationship, co-occurring difficulties and quality of delivery may affect outcomes.	What is the aim of this approach? How is progress reviewed? How would the plan change if needs change?
Medication assessment	To discuss with a physician whether medication may be appropriate in light of symptoms, functioning, health and other care.	Assessment, prescribing and follow-up are carried out by a physician, with benefits, adverse effects and preferences monitored.	Guidelines consider medication alone or with psychological approaches among options tailored to the person’s circumstances.	Benefits and adverse effects vary; starting, stopping or changing a dose requires individual medical assessment.	What benefits and adverse effects are expected? When will treatment be reviewed? How are interactions with other medicines considered?

Addiction

Psychosocial support

Aim of the approach: To examine patterns of use, triggers, goals, daily life and resources that support change.
How it is carried out: Motivation, behavioural patterns, planning after lapses and social support are addressed according to the person’s goals.
Research it draws on: Guidelines and reviews evaluate psychosocial approaches according to the substance, level of difficulty and co-occurring needs.
Limitations and uncertainty: A single talking approach may not address every medical, social or safety need; coordinated support may be needed.
Questions you could ask a professional: How are goals agreed? How is the plan updated after a lapse? When is referral to another health service considered?

Considering medical and social supports together

Aim of the approach: To consider withdrawal risk, physical and mental health, housing, school/work and social support without reducing them to one problem.
How it is carried out: Depending on need, referral or coordination may involve physicians, psychologists, social services, peer support and relevant organisations.
Research it draws on: Recovery frameworks emphasise health, a safe home, purpose and community as interrelated dimensions.
Limitations and uncertainty: Service names and access routes vary by country and region; examples from abroad may not exist in the same form in Türkiye.
Questions you could ask a professional: Which professional or service fits each need? What happens in an urgent risk? How is information sharing between services limited?

Addiction · The table can be scrolled horizontally
Approach	Aim of the approach	How it is carried out	Research it draws on	Limitations and uncertainty	Questions you could ask a professional
Psychosocial support	To examine patterns of use, triggers, goals, daily life and resources that support change.	Motivation, behavioural patterns, planning after lapses and social support are addressed according to the person’s goals.	Guidelines and reviews evaluate psychosocial approaches according to the substance, level of difficulty and co-occurring needs.	A single talking approach may not address every medical, social or safety need; coordinated support may be needed.	How are goals agreed? How is the plan updated after a lapse? When is referral to another health service considered?
Considering medical and social supports together	To consider withdrawal risk, physical and mental health, housing, school/work and social support without reducing them to one problem.	Depending on need, referral or coordination may involve physicians, psychologists, social services, peer support and relevant organisations.	Recovery frameworks emphasise health, a safe home, purpose and community as interrelated dimensions.	Service names and access routes vary by country and region; examples from abroad may not exist in the same form in Türkiye.	Which professional or service fits each need? What happens in an urgent risk? How is information sharing between services limited?

General information, not diagnosis or personal advice.

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