When Trauma Fuels Addiction

When Trauma Fuels Addiction 

Webinar with Prof. Eyal Fruchter, ICAR Collective, and Prof. Shauli Lev-Ran, Israel Center on Addiction and Mental Health (ICA) 

Moderated by Gila Tolub, ICAR Collective

This webinar will present key insights on the link between trauma and addiction from the recent position paper, co-authored by ICAR Collective and the Israel Center on Addiction (ICA).

Participants will gain a clear understanding of the connection between trauma and addiction, the growing national challenge with the worrying trend of addictive substance use and behaviors increase - especially since the October 7^th attack, and recommendations for a coordinated, system-level national program, including early identification, intervention, and tailored responses. 

The webinar will be in English

Panelists

Professor Eyal Fruchter is a leading psychiatrist and mental health expert specializing in PTSD, suicide prevention, and resilience. He served as Head of Mental Health for the IDF Medical Corps, retiring as a Colonel, and later led the Division of Mental Health at Rambam Health Care Campus. He also served as CEO of Maale Hacarmel Mental Health Center and is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Technion.

An internationally respected clinician and researcher, Prof. Fruchter is the co-founder and Director of Medical & Science Affairs at ICAR Collective, a multidisciplinary initiative advancing trauma recovery and mental health innovation.

Professor Shauli Lev-Ran is a leading expert in addiction treatment and research in Israel. He is the co-founder and academic director of the Israel Center on Addiction and Mental Health (ICA), a Professor of Psychiatry at the Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University, and an Affiliate Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, Canada. His academic and clinical work focus on addiction medicine, mental health, and public health, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based, systemic solutions to addiction and its societal impact.

In the aftermath of October 7, 2023, Professor Lev-Ran and the ICA have played a pivotal role in addressing the mental health consequences of national trauma and the rise in problematic substance use. They have led efforts to train professionals, support educators and therapists, and develop protocols for the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions - protocols that have since been adopted by leading national organizations.

Through his research, publications, and media presence, Professor Lev-Ran is dedicated to reducing stigma, increasing public awareness of addiction, and promoting recovery-oriented policies that empower individuals and strengthen communities.