Alexander Dovzhenko (psychiatrist)

Alexander Romanovich Dovzhenko (Russian: Александр Романович Довженко; 1918–1995) was a Soviet and Ukrainian physician, psychiatrist and psychotherapist. He is most famous for developing the Dovzhenko method ("Coding"). Dovzhenko Alexander Romanovich was a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and substance abuse counselor. USSR People's therapist (1989), Meritorious Soviet Ukraine therapist (1985), Neurology and Psychiatry V.P. Protopopov Scientific Research Institute Senior scientist (Kharkov), a head of MZ Soviet Ukraine First Republican psychoneurological Medical Centre (located in Feodosia). Graduated from Crimea State Medical University. The author of the unique alcohol addiction therapy that won a universal recognition.

Alexander Dovzhenko
Александр Романович Довженко
Born	Alexander Romanovich Dovzhenko 1918 Sevastopol, Russian SFSR
Died	1995 (aged 76–77) Feodosia, Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Ukraine
Nationality	Soviet, Ukrainian

The approbation of Dovzhenko's approach, its theoretical and scientific foundation was held in 1979 – 1980 – ties in Clinical and Experimental Neurology and Psychiatry V.P. Protopopov Scientific Research Institute. (presently named as: State Institution AMN Russian abbreviation Ukraine Neurology, Psychiatry and Narcology Institute)

Scientific works

In 1984 A.R. Dovzhenko's method of therapy was recognized as an invention and registered by State Committee on Inventions and Discoveries (presently known as Rospatent) titled as “The Treatment of Сhronic Alcoholism based on Dovzhenko's method ” and approved by Department for Implementing of Medication and Medical Equipment of USSR Ministry of Health. Authorized by USSR and Soviet Ukraine Ministry of Health.

Professor I.N. Pyatnitskaya is a prominent scientist and clinical therapist who has become a co – founder of modern Russian narcology, author of classical monographs and guides and has highly assessed doctor Dovzhenko's method of therapy.

“A.R. Dovzhenko, the head of Republic Narcology Centre of Soviet Ukraine Ministry of Health has achieved exceptional results”. A.R. Dovzhenko has exposed to the world the pattern of sobriety. The method of therapy is aimed at formation of so – called “sobriety dominant” in the brain of an addict. The method that was elaborated and used by A.R. Dovzhenko, has an incredible effect, that is, from 82% to 93% of his patients give up drinking and become full human beings.“

Rewards

• USSR People's Therapist (Moscow, 23.05.1989)
• Soviet Ukraine Meritorious Therapist (Kiev 1985)
• Honorary citizen of Feodosia (1995)

Memory and recognition

Foeodosia. Stamboli Palace. МЗ Soviet Ukraine First Republic Psycho – neurological Therapy Centre headed by USSR People's Therapist A.R. Dovzhenko took place in this edifice.

• In 1980 – 1990 – ties the number of science – fiction films created at Moscow and Kiev film studios appeared on the screens exposing the works of Republic Psychotherapy and Narcology Centre (located in Feodosia). In the premises of the centre there is an educational program and internship based on Dovzhenko's method and aimed at psychotherapists specialised in narcology from almost all regions of Post – USSR. The total number of graduates comprises 150 students, among which 80 of them were prepared by the author of the method. Presently, this number includes Meritorious professors of the Russian Federation, Ukraine, the Republic of Tatarstan doctors and candidates of Medical Science. Annually, since 1999 in the city of Kharkov conventional scientific -practical conferences are arranged with an international participation and named as “Dovzheko's readings”.

The institutions that organize this event include: Ukrainian Medical Science Academy, Ministry of Health, Governmental Institute “Neurology, Psychiatry and Narcology of Ukraine AMN”, Kharkov Post – graduate Medical Academy, Ukrainian scientific – practical neurology, psychiatrist and narcologist community. The collection of scientific works based on conference results are published.

• Dovzhenko education charity was created in Moscow. MOZ Crimean Republic Narcology and Psychotherapy Centre has the name of A.R. Dovzhenko.
• Alexander Romanovich was buried at Novoe Kladbishe in Feodosia, where his marble bust was installed. At present, there is a monument constructed in his honour and located in the centre of Feodosia.
• A. R. Dovzhenko Medal Of Honour. Following the decision of Ukraine Ministry of Health as well as Russia Ministry of Health, a USSR People's Therapist medal was issued to A.R. Dovzhenko:

“The medal is issued annually to medical workers, teachers, writers, sportsmen, public figures and statesmen, as well as other prominent figures who have made a great contribution into releasing people from any addiction, an introduction and propaganda of healthy lifestyle”.

A new design of the medal

Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on awarding A. R. Dovzhenko the honorary title "People's Doctor of the USSR" "for the great service in the development of public health". These documents were kindly provided by scientific researchers of the Feodosiya Local Lore Museum.

References