Addiction to alcohol, sex, games: how it is treated in Israel. Specialist Zeev Shveidel explains

Social worker and criminologist Zeev Shveidel explained in the Vesti studio how Israel treats addictions to alcohol, drugs, and gambling. He emphasized that effective, confidential, and free help is available at municipal social welfare departments. Rehabilitation is based on evidence-based psychotherapy rather than outdated 'coding' methods. Appointments are anonymous, and information is not shared with employers or the military. Relatives of addicts can receive support in special groups.

Social worker and criminologist Zeev Shveidel explained in the Vesti studio how Israel treats addictions to alcohol, drugs, and gambling. He emphasized that an effective, fully confidential, and free help system operates in municipal social welfare departments at the place of residence. The main sign of addiction is not the amount consumed or hours spent gaming, but the loss of control and the destruction of life, family, and work. Unlike outdated Soviet methods of 'implantation' and 'coding', rehabilitation is based on evidence-based individual and group psychotherapy. Medications are used only temporarily to ease withdrawal symptoms, and the focus is on addressing the root cause—inner emotional pain. Appointments at the specialized department are anonymous: information is not passed to employers, the military, or health funds. Social workers help arrange benefits through 'Bituah Leumi' or disability payments. If an adult denies the problem, the law prohibits forcing them into therapy, but relatives can turn to special groups for family members of addicts, where they learn to set boundaries and create an environment that motivates treatment.