JP\/17\/DIAGN<\/p>\n
Dual diagnosis a problem of drug addiction and pathology<\/p>\n
David & Joyce Djaelani Gordon
\nContributors
\nYayasan Harapan Permata Hati Kita
\nBogor<\/p>\n
Dani (not his real name), is 42; he is a drug addict, and one
\nwith a mental disorder.<\/p>\n
Dani cannot adequately or properly take care of himself or his
\ndaily needs. He cannot hold down a job, therefore cannot earn a
\nliving. He cannot have the usual relationships with family,
\nfriends or associates; he cannot take care of his health and
\nwelfare needs.<\/p>\n
Conversation with him flashes from the rational to mostly the
\nirrational, from semi-logical to very illogical: All in all he
\nmust be taken care of and supervised, daily.<\/p>\n
At Yakita Drug Recovery Center, based upon our documentation
\nfrom 1999, we have found that approximately one in 18 drug
\nabusers or addicts, both men and women, who come to the center
\nfor treatment and recovery are dual-diagnoses.<\/p>\n
Meaning, they can be clinically diagnosed with having two
\nseparate maladies -- drug addiction, and some type of mental
\ndisorder.<\/p>\n
Drug addiction has long been described as a \"physical allergy\"
\n(causing a physical craving) coupled with obsession (disorder)
\nmeaning, that it is both a physical illness and a mental
\ndisorder.<\/p>\n
Some of the more severe conditions of mental disorders we
\nencounter regularly include retardation (subnormal, slow, to
\nalmost impossible-to-improve learning capacity), depression,
\nmanic\/depressive psychosis, neurosis, schizophrenia,
\nobsessive\/compulsive, illusional, delusional, aggressive
\n(violent) behavior and others.<\/p>\n
Drug addiction and mental disorders are always complex and
\npresent different kinds of problems. The presence of both
\nproblems will surely increase the time for recovery or healing.
\nOften, even when worked with extensively there can never be a
\nreturn to what would be considered normal.<\/p>\n
Importance of therapy<\/p>\n
Across the nation many still believe that a doctor,
\npsychiatrist or dukun (shaman) can help an addict or someone with
\na mental disorder to recover completely. Many still believe
\nmedication can help restore someone to normality.<\/p>\n
It is a fallacy that medication alone will help someone cease
\ntheir drug addiction, or get over some types of
\npathology\/disorder.<\/p>\n
Medication is often an immense asset in helping to restore
\nbalance, a semblance of normality for those who are afflicted
\nwith many types of mental disorders, but not so with drug
\naddiction.<\/p>\n
Just as often, therapy is just as important but difficult to
\nobtain.<\/p>\n
Qualified drug recovery professionals\/specialists, who manage
\nrecovery centers and facilities, along with the essential ongoing
\n(therapeutic) after-care programs are all exceedingly limited.<\/p>\n
With the nation claiming there are approximately six million
\ndrug users\/addicts, and findings indicating that approximately
\none in 25 individuals (mostly late-teens upwards) have some kind
\nof mental or emotional problem, disorder or pathology --
\nIndonesia is presently in the midst of an evolving crisis
\nsurrounding recovery from drug abuse and co-related mental health
\nneeds and services.<\/p>\n
Raising awareness of this extremely serious and vastly complex
\nproblem is certainly of utmost importance. We must also carefully
\nconsider HIV\/AIDS, Hepatitis C and B, and tuberculosis.<\/p>\n
All three are rapidly increasing across the nation. People
\nwith diminished capacity or pathologies are far more likely to
\nengage in risky behavior patterns, not fully understand their
\naction, or not have the capacity to care about whom they injure,
\naffect or infect.<\/p>\n
When individuals are stricken with a mental disorder or
\ndysfunction, and are, for whatever reason, addicted to either
\nillicit drugs, or medications (often only available under
\nprescription) and dual-diagnosis conditions go without attention
\nfor some time the conditions always worsen.<\/p>\n
Dani is just one individual, yet there are tens of thousands
\nof others who may rightfully be considered as dual-diagnosis. Not
\nonly is there a minimum number of safe places; there is a huge
\nshortage of trained mental-health specialists and drug-recovery
\nprofessionals.<\/p>\n
The plight of people with dual-diagnosis is commonly both
\nheartbreaking and exasperating. Mental illness or diminished-
\ncapacity is often just poignant, because so little can be
\naccomplished to remedy or rescue the individual from the illness.<\/p>\n
Drug addiction is often maddening, in every sense of the word,
\nbecause of the enormous problems and damage addiction can bring
\nupon the addict, as well as those close to the addict.<\/p>\n
Promoting self-help<\/p>\n
The most expedient action that should be taken at present
\nwould be to create a \"house\" within local kampongs, where village
\ncommunity leaders, parents, family, loved ones, and peer-
\ncounselors could establish self-help groups and programs.<\/p>\n
Training for such facilities can easily be locally hosted and
\nsupported.<\/p>\n
Basic programs, giving an assortment of pertinent information
\nwill most likely find only temporary success.<\/p>\n
These measures that can be taken are neither ideal nor
\ncomprehensive, yet they are workable and a progressive beginning
\nto confront and work with those who are afflicted with an
\nassortment of mental illnesses and are also drug abusers and
\ndual-diagnosis addicts.<\/p>\n
These are also prudent ways for families and the community or
\nneighborhood to respond in a semi-secure way to meet the
\nchallenges, the confusion, hardships, strain and pain of not
\nknowing what to do, who and where to turn to, and how to find
\nresources that have the capacities and abilities to meet the
\nneeds of both the afflicted person, the family and community.<\/p>\n
Also, these \"houses\" are very affordable because they are
\nmanaged and facilitated by the community and need little, if any,
\noutside assistance or support once established.<\/p>\n
Mental illness and drug abuse\/addiction cannot be taken
\nlightly or side-stepped. It is a condition that affects many
\nthousands throughout the nation.<\/p>\n
Neither government nor the medical health and welfare
\ncommunity has anywhere near the resources, capabilities, or
\nmanpower to address this situation with resolve, for it is far
\ntoo widespread and embedded within the populace.<\/p>\n
Therefore, it is clearly a far wiser choice for the general
\npublic, families, etc., to learn about dual-diagnosis and create
\naction plans and safe places within their own communities to care
\nfor those who need help.<\/p>\n
in box:
\nYayasan Harapan Permata Hati Kita
\nVilla Pandawa YAKITA
\nJl. Ciasin No. 21, Desa Bendungan
\nCiawi, Bogor, Jawa Barat<\/p>\n
tel. (0251) 243069\/077
\ne-mail: wisma_srikandi@hotmail.com
\nwebsite: http:\/\/www.yakita.or.id<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp17diagn-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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