The road is long With many a winding turn That leads us to who knows where Who knows where But I’m strong Strong enough to carry him He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother So on we go His welfare is my concern No burden is he to bear We’ll get there For I know He would not encumber me He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother Bridge: If I’m laden at all I’m laden with sadness That everyone’s heart Isn’t filled with gladness And love for one another It’s a long, long road From which there is no return While we’re on the way to there Why not share And the load doesn’t weigh me down at all He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother He’s my brother He ain’t heavy, He’s my brother
By Hannah Russell, Molly Hyman and Linda Smith (C of Bob Russell)
Grow to self-empowerment Retain honesty What goes around, comes around No free lunch Open-mindedness Willingness Be careful what you ask for, you might just get it Consistency Personal growth before vested status Principals before personalities Do the right thing, everything else will follow Responsibility You can’t keep it, unless you give it away Take charge of your life Replace fear, anger, despair – with love, forgiveness and hope Be self aware and self nurturing Now is the time As I change my approach, I change my results Me, myself and I All that I give is given to myself Appreciate all the good things, and people in your life It’s not what happens that determines my life, it’s what I do about it Cultivate a positive, hopeful outlook Take charge of your life Let go of the past and forgive It is better to give, than to receive I make a difference – I count Nothing is by chance, everything is a lesson for me to learn Unwritten philosophy – honesty – – trust your environment – – love – – responsible care and concern – – trust – – understand, rather than to be understood – – what goes around shall come around – – to be aware is to be alive – – no free lunch – – you can’t keep it, unless you give it away – – personal growth, before vested status – – compensation is valid – – sincerity – – responsibility – – be careful what you ask for, you might just get it – – blind faith – – consistency – – no cheap grace – – do your thing right, everything else will follow – Slogans – hang on though – – one day at a time – – talk the talk, walk the walk – – be open – – easy does it – – take a grip – – keep it simple – – only you can do it, but you can’t do it alone – – if it doesn’t apply, let it fly – – find a spot – – hang in there, it ain’t that deep – – reach out – – rock the boat – – talk about it – – make yourself responsible – – no passengers, except for crew on board – – clean and sober – – find a spot – – go through the motions – – feelings functions – – you slack, you go back – – comfort the disturb, and disturb the comfort – – respond rather than react – – principals before personalities –
When it is time for your daughter, son, spouse or other family member to return home, you will need to be prepared. Mistakes can cause relapses and lack of preparation at home can result in stresses on the family. Be as prepared as possible. For simplicity, the text below is written as if it is a child returning, but the information applies equally to adults, fathers, mothers etc. Dealing with the change from rehab to home Rehab is just the first step towards reintegrating an addict into a normal social environment. Coming home is a serious test of the success of the rehabilitation process. Therefore view home as an extension of the rehab environment, not freedom from it. Prepare the home beforehand by removing all temptations such as alcohol and money stashes. The recovering addict needs structure and control. Decide on a routine that blends with the rest of the family. Work out the details and write it down clearly. You can consult with the Centre to clarify this but have it ready before you son or daughter arrives home from rehab. The routine starts immediately and you must STICK TO IT. Through addiction and related behaviours, the addict has lost his or her rights. Therefore: Do not delegate decisions to him or her Do not negotiate Do not explain your reasoning Just tell him or her how it will be.
Rights must be earned with time, based on adherence to the rules and proof that recovery is ongoing.
Include in the routine: Aspects of hygiene – check routinely how he or she feels Waking up and going to sleep times Meal times Exercise times and nature of the exercise – fix the times and durations Contributions to the family functioning – chores. Make sure the recovering addict has specific, well-defined family responsibilities. Time for spiritual activities Time for self-improvement Time for family interactions Make sure the routine is balanced in all areas
Be warned. During their addiction, addicts will throw away all aspects of quality of life. This will include things like doing tasks poorly or incompletely. Be strict about this and demand quality in all aspects of the daily routine.
Encourage each family member to communicate openly about concerns and joys Ensure each family member understands that he or she has an important role in all family communications. Hidden concerns become cracks that just get worse unless dealt with. Work at keeping the balance in the family and not spending all the family’s resources on the recovering addict Encourage all family members to work on their relationships with all other family members. Make a special effort to ensure the recovering addict builds or rebuilds relationships with all other family members and deal with all problems encountered Attend aftercare and family support at the Centre on Wednesday evenings Make sure the recovering addict knows he or she has the support of the family and feels free to talk about his or her fears and times of weakness Make sure all treatment is fair. It will be tough as in “Tough Love”, but still needs to be fair. Provide all care and love that is needed – but that is all. Watch for behaviours or paraphernalia (eg secrecy, smoking equipment, needles) that suggests the use of drugs. Get acquainted with what these signs are.
The recovering addict should not be allowed freedom to move about outside the home alone. Therefore when he or she goes anywhere, someone responsible must go along riding shotgun. Know where they are and when they must return You have the right to check on them if you want to, so do so at least some of the times
The recovering addict should not be allowed freedom to move about outside the home alone. Therefore when he or she goes anywhere, someone responsible must go along riding shotgun. Know where they are and when they must return You have the right to check on them if you want to, so do so at least some of the times
Healthy eating is essential. Unbalanced diets lead to unbalanced lifestyles. Take special care with balancing meals and avoid fast foods and other unhealthy foods. Sweets often become a replacement for drugs. Control access to sweets and allow them under supervision. Make sure they do not become a new addiction or threat to healthy living. Addicts tend to neglect hygiene and may easily slip back into these bad ways. Be especially strict on matter of hygiene. Compliment the good and correct the bad, strictly. Rebuild self-pride.
Money is a way to freedom, and the fuel for temptation. Never supply money. Just buy what the recovering addict needs. He or she will demand / request / try to persuade you that he or she deserves things like a car, cell-phone etc. No car. No cell phone. Privileges can be offered in time for “good behaviour” and sticking to the plan. However, privileges must be related to well-being, not things that can retrigger addictive behaviours (such as an unaccompanied trip to the movies). Avoid luxuries. Focus on a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Needs, not wants. Do not open the wants door. If it is not needed, it must not be provided. Intimate relationships should be avoided for at least 2 years. There is enough rebuilding to work on. Adding another complicated relationship to deal with will add instability Keep him or her away from old references – like places where drugs were used in secret, friends that were part of the problem, suppliers who will try to regain lost business Avoid triggers that led to using drugs. These may be anything from a specific place to an action of the family that disturbed the addict.
Most addicts will have damaged or even destroyed their education, and they will probably feel socially inferior because of this. They must be encouraged to rebuild their self esteem in this regard. But be careful not to add to their feelings of inferiority by highlighting this problem. Look forwards and not backwards. What can we do to fix this, not what did we do wrong to make it happen. Help the recovering addict to work on enabling himself through further studies or skill acquisition. Hobbies and interests will offer replacement activities to keep addictive behaviours away. If you do not yet know what interests the recovering addict has, help him or her to find out. Help to establish activities and hobbies around these interests. They may even become occupation opportunities. Make sure the recovering addict is not put into a situation where they will be, or will feel inadequate. This will be a sure way to return him or her to addiction. Empower them first through education and skills development.
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Qualification:
Qualification:
Qualification
– Certified Addical Therapist
– More than 10 years experience in handling all kinds of addiction cases.
Qualifications
Kings College London (2019)
Medical Ethics and Law(M.A)
Designation : Medical Officer
Conventry University (2018)
MBA – Global Business
Universitas Udayana (2014)
Bachelor of Medicine
Certification
– Certified by Malaysian Medical Council
– Advance Cardiac Life Support
– Basic Life Support
Qualification:
Master in Clinical Psychology – UCSI UNIVERSITY
Qualification:
Qualification:
Clinical Hypnosis Certificate Course- (2020-2022)
London College of Clinical Hypnosis (LCCH)
Bachelor of Psychology- (2019-2022)
HELP University
Qualification:
Qualification:
Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB), Ipoh
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
Qualification:
Designation:
Registered Counsellor
Malaysian Board of Counsellors
KB05812, PA05214
Qualification
Chronic relapsers are those clients that may have have been in multiple treatments, they have had long periods of recovery, they know the lingo, the tools and the “Program”, but they can’t seem to stay clean and sober. We have designed a special program for these clients
People who have substance use disorders as well as mental health disorders are diagnosed as having co-occurring disorders, or dual disorders. This is also sometimes called a dual diagnosis.
Dual diagnosis is the term used when a person has a mood disorder such as depression or bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) and a problem with alcohol or drugs. A person who has a dual diagnosis has two separate illnesses, and each illness needs its own treatment plan.
Chronic relapsers are clients that may have been in multiple treatments, they have had long periods of recovery, they know the lingo, the tools, and “The Program”, but they can’t seem to stay clean and sober. … They don’t forfeit their recovery because they drank or used again.
In many instances treatment programs only focus on the primary treatment phase of the treatment program and hope at best that the recovering person will manage to recover and maintain sobriety by attending self-help support groups. This is part of the mistake that leads to chronic relapsing.
Problem gambling is usually being referred to as “gambling addiction” or “compulsive gambling”) is an urge to gamble continuously despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop. Problem gambling is often defined by whether harm is experienced by the gambler or others, rather than by the gambler’s behaviour. Severe problem gambling may be diagnosed as clinical pathological gambling if the gambler meets certain criteria. Pathological gambling is a common disorder that is associated with both social and family costs. The DSM-5 has re-classified the condition as an addictive disorder, with sufferers exhibiting many similarities to those who have substance addictions. The term gambling addiction has long been used in the recovery movement. Pathological gambling was long considered by the American Psychiatric Association to be an impulse control disorder rather than an addiction, however, data suggest a closer relationship between pathological gambling and substance use disorders than exists between Problem Gambling and obsessive-compulsive disorder, largely because the behaviors in problem gambling and most primary substance use disorders (i.e., those not resulting from a desire to “self-medicate” for another condition such as depression) seek to activate the brain’s reward mechanisms while the behaviors characterizing obsessive-compulsive disorder are prompted by overactive and misplaced signals from the brain’s fear mechanisms.
Process addictions are a form of behavioral addiction that is typically associated with obsessive or compulsive behavior.
Gambling, sexual addiction, eating disorders, and addiction surrounding your jobs or hobbies
(even Facebook) are all common types of process addictions.
Overview
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
There are four basic types of bipolar disorder; all of them involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. These moods range from periods of extremely “up,” elated, and energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very sad, “down,” or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes). Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes.
Signs and Symptoms
People with bipolar disorder experience periods of unusually intense emotion, changes in sleep patterns and activity levels, and unusual behaviors. These distinct periods are called “mood episodes.” Mood episodes are drastically different from the moods and behaviors that are typical for the person. Extreme changes in energy, activity, and sleep go along with mood episodes.
People having a manic episode may: People having a depressive episode may:
People having a depressive episode may:
Sometimes a mood episode includes symptoms of both manic and depressive symptoms. This is called an episode with mixed features. People experiencing an episode with mixed features may feel very sad, empty, or hopeless, while at the same time feeling extremely energized.
Bipolar disorder can be present even when mood swings are less extreme. For example, some people with bipolar disorder experience hypomania, a less severe form of mania. During a hypomanic episode, an individual may feel very good, be highly productive, and function well. The person may not feel that anything is wrong, but family and friends may recognize the mood swings and/or changes in activity levels as possible bipolar disorder. Without proper treatment, people with hypomania may develop severe mania or depression.
Diagnosis
Proper diagnosis and treatment help people with bipolar disorder lead healthy and productive lives. Talking with a doctor or other licensed mental health professional is the first step for anyone who thinks he or she may have bipolar disorder. The doctor can complete a physical exam to rule out other conditions. If the problems are not caused by other illnesses, the doctor may conduct a mental health evaluation or provide a referral to a trained mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, who is experienced in diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder.
Bipolar Disorder and Other Illnesses
Some bipolar disorder symptoms are similar to other illnesses, which can make it hard for a doctor to make a diagnosis. In addition, many people have bipolar disorder along with another illness such as anxiety disorder, substance abuse, or an eating disorder. People with bipolar disorder are also at higher risk for thyroid disease, migraine headaches, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other physical illnesses.
Psychosis: Sometimes, a person with severe episodes of mania or depression also has psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions. The psychotic symptoms tend to match the person’s extreme mood. For example:
As a result, people with bipolar disorder who also have psychotic symptoms are sometimes misdiagnosed with schizophrenia.
Anxiety and ADHD: Anxiety disorders and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are often diagnosed among people with bipolar disorder.
Substance Abuse: People with bipolar disorder may also misuse alcohol or drugs, have relationship problems, or perform poorly in school or at work. Family, friends and people experiencing symptoms may not recognize these problems as signs of a major mental illness such as bipolar disorder
Risk Factors
Scientists are studying the possible causes of bipolar disorder. Most agree that there is no single cause. Instead, it is likely that many factors contribute to the illness or increase risk.
Brain Structure and Functioning: Some studies show how the brains of people with bipolar disorder may differ from the brains of healthy people or people with other mental disorders. Learning more about these differences, along with new information from genetic studies, helps scientists better understand bipolar disorder and predict which types of treatment will work most effectively.
Genetics: Some research suggests that people with certain genes are more likely to develop bipolar disorder than others. But genes are not the only risk factor for bipolar disorder. Studies of identical twins have shown that even if one twin develops bipolar disorder, the other twin does not always develop the disorder, despite the fact that identical twins share all of the same genes.
Family History: Bipolar disorder tends to run in families. Children with a parent or sibling who has bipolar disorder are much more likely to develop the illness, compared with children who do not have a family history of the disorder. However, it is important to note that most people with a family history of bipolar disorder will not develop the illness.
Treatments and Therapies
Treatment helps many people—even those with the most severe forms of bipolar disorder—gain better control of their mood swings and other bipolar symptoms. An effective treatment plan usually includes a combination of medication and psychotherapy (also called “talk therapy”). Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness. Episodes of mania and depression typically come back over time. Between episodes, many people with bipolar disorder are free of mood changes, but some people may have lingering symptoms. Long-term, continuous treatment helps to control these symptoms.
Medications
Different types of medications can help control symptoms of bipolar disorder. An individual may need to try several different medications before finding ones that work best.
Medications generally used to treat bipolar disorder include:
Anyone taking medication should:
Psychotherapy
When done in combination with medication, psychotherapy (also called “talk therapy”) can be an effective treatment for bipolar disorder. It can provide support, education, and guidance to people with bipolar disorder and their families. Some psychotherapy treatments used to treat bipolar disorder include:
Other Treatment Options
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): ECT can provide relief for people with severe bipolar disorder who have not been able to recover with other treatments. Sometimes ECT is used for bipolar symptoms when other medical conditions, including pregnancy, make taking medications too risky. ECT may cause some short-term side effects, including confusion, disorientation, and memory loss. People with bipolar disorder should discuss possible benefits and risks of ECT with a qualified health professional.
Sleep Medications: People with bipolar disorder who have trouble sleeping usually find that treatment is helpful. However, if sleeplessness does not improve, a doctor may suggest a change in medications. If the problem continues, the doctor may prescribe sedatives or other sleep medications.
Supplements: Not much research has been conducted on herbal or natural supplements and how they may affect bipolar disorder.
It is important for a doctor to know about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements a client is taking. Certain medications and supplements taken together may cause unwanted or dangerous effects.
Keeping a Life Chart: Even with proper treatment, mood changes can occur. Treatment is more effective when a client and doctor work closely together and talk openly about concerns and choices. Keeping a life chart that records daily mood symptoms, treatments, sleep patterns, and life events can help clients and doctors track and treat bipolar disorder most effectively.
For Immediate Help
If You Are in Crisis: Call us we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is available to anyone. All calls are confidential.
If you are thinking about harming yourself or thinking about suicide:
If a loved one is considering suicide:
Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder that affects about one percent of the population. When schizophrenia is active, symptoms can include delusions, hallucinations, trouble with thinking and concentration, and lack of motivation. However, when these symptoms are treated, most people with schizophrenia will greatly improve over time.
While there is no cure for schizophrenia, research is leading to new, safer treatments. Experts also are unraveling the causes of the disease by studying genetics, conducting behavioral research, and by using advanced imaging to look at the brain’s structure and function. These approaches hold the promise of new, more effective therapies.
The complexity of schizophrenia may help explain why there are misconceptions about the disease. Schizophrenia does not mean split personality or multiple-personality. Most people with schizophrenia are not dangerous or violent. They also are not homeless nor do they live in hospitals. Most people with schizophrenia live with family, in group homes or on their own.
Research has shown that schizophrenia affects men and women about equally but may have an earlier onset in males. Rates are similar in all ethnic groups around the world. Schizophrenia is considered a group of disorders where causes and symptoms vary considerable between individuals.
Symptoms
When the disease is active, it can be characterized by episodes in which the patient is unable to distinguish between real and unreal experiences. As with any illness, the severity, duration and frequency of symptoms can vary; however, in persons with schizophrenia, the incidence of severe psychotic symptoms often decreases during a patient’s lifetime. Not taking medications as prescribed, use of alcohol or illicit drugs, and stressful situations tend to increase symptoms. Symptoms fall into several categories:
Symptoms usually first appear in early adulthood. Men often experience symptoms in their early 20s and women often first show signs in their late 20s and early 30s. More subtle signs may be present earlier, including troubled relationships, poor school performance and reduced motivation. It is rarely diagnosed in children or adolescents.
Before a diagnosis can be made, however, a psychiatrist should conduct a thorough medical examination to rule out substance misuse or other medical illnesses whose symptoms mimic schizophrenia.
Risk Factors
Researchers believe that a number of genetic and environmental factors contribute to causation, and life stresses may play a role in the disorder’s onset and course. Since multiple factors may contribute, scientists cannot yet be specific about the exact cause in individual cases. Since the term schizophrenia embraces several different disorders, variation in cause between cases is expected.
o Treatment
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Treatment can help many people with schizophrenia lead highly productive and rewarding lives. As with other chronic illnesses, some patients do extremely well while others continue to be symptomatic and need support and assistance.
After the symptoms of schizophrenia are controlled, various types of therapy can continue to help people manage the illness and improve their lives. Therapy and supports can help people learn social skills, cope with stress, identify early warning signs of relapse and prolong periods of remission. Because schizophrenia typically strikes in early adulthood, individuals with the disorder often benefit from rehabilitation to help develop life-management skills, complete vocational or educational training, and hold a job. For example, supported-employment programs have been found to help persons with schizophrenia obtain self-sufficiency. These programs provide people with severe mental illness with competitive jobs in the community.
Many people living with schizophrenia receive emotional and material support from their family. Therefore, it is important that families be provided with education, assistance and support. Such assistance has been shown to help prevent relapses and improve the overall mental health of the family members as well as the person with schizophrenia.
Living with Schizophrenia
Living with Schizophrenia
Optimism is important and patients, family members and mental health professionals need to be mindful that many patients have a favorable course of illness, that challenges can often be addressed, and that patients have many personal strengths that can be recognized and supported.
When you abuse alcohol, you continue to drink even though you know your drinking is causing problems. If you continue to abuse alcohol, it can lead to alcohol dependence. Alcohol dependence is also called alcoholism. You are physically or mentally addicted to alcohol. You have a strong need, or craving to drink.
You can click on our Free Alcohol Addiction Assessment tool to see if you may be alcohol-dependent.
However, please note the results of this self-assessment tool are not intended to constitute diagnosis and should be used solely as a guide to understanding your substance use and the potential health issues involved with it.
The information in this free assessment is not a substitute for a full evaluation by a health professional.
Click the button below to start the assessment.
*Note: This assessment will open up in your Facebook Messenger. When prompted, click ‘get started’ to begin the assessment.
• Diploma in Professional Counselling Supervision
• Certified Substance Abuse Therapist (CSAT level III)
• Professional Counselor Supervisor (Australian Counselling Association)
• National centre on substance abuse and child welfare.
• Sawangan Therapeutic Community (Malaysia)
• Yayasan Bangun Putra Bangsa Therapeutic Community (Indonesia)
• Community Chess Cape Town (Governance Development)
• Understanding Child welfare and Dependency Court
• Understanding Substance Use Disorders, Treatment and Family Recovery
Therapy may begin with interviews and initial screenings to assess a client’s condition and determine whether crisis counseling is needed. At this time, therapists learn the patient’s addiction history. An assessment is also performed on the patients’ family and significant others to ascertain the level of support they’ll have as they work through their alcohol or drug dependency issues.
A large part of an addiction therapist’s job is listening. They must be compassionate and provide their patients with non-judgmental support. Counselors conduct therapy sessions on a daily or weekly basis, as needed. Often, group therapy sessions are scheduled for patients, and sometimes their family members participate.
Counselors may make referrals for their patients if they are found to have deeper emotional problems. They can also implement treatment plans of their own, by utilizing varied mental health techniques. Addiction therapists may work in residential treatment facilities, hospitals and prisons, or they may have private practices.
• Diploma in Nursing
• Qualified CPR practitioner and trainer
• Bachelor of Psychology with honors 2011-2014 University Malaysia Sabah
I have always been an achiever; be it academics or professional life or sports or any other field in my life. I believe in success through hard work and dedication. My motto in life is “If you want something, work hard and you will achieve it; there are no short cuts”. I enjoy life to the fullest and love humor. I am a progressive thinker and respect each person’s space and value.
Board Certified ABAARM
American Academy of Antiaging and Regenerative Medicine
Australian College Nutritional & Environmental Medicine
FACNEM, Nutritional & Environmental Medicine, 1995 – 2009
Activities and Societies: Fellow of the ACNEM
University of Auckland
BHB, Human Biology, 1985 – 1990
Activities and Societies: Mad Hatters Club
University of Auckland
MBChB, Medicine & Surgery, 1985 – 1990
Board Certified WOSAAM
American Academy of Antiaging Medicine
American Board of Antiaging & Regenerative
Medicine ABAARM
World Society of Antiaging Medicine WOSAAM
• Bachelor of Psychology, The University of North Carolina Wilmington – Magna
• Cum Laude (Honors) Master of Clinical Psychology Focusing in Substance Abuse
• Treatment, The University of North Carolina Wilmington – Summa Cum Laude
• (Honors) Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist Associate – North Carolina
• Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board
• 9 month Internship program in Wilmington, North Carolina Governor’s
• Institute on Substance Abuse Scholarship Award
• CSATi (certified substance abuse therapist)
• Has more than 6 years experience in rehabilitation of substance abusers in Cape Town South Africa
• He completed a 18 month Internship program in Cape Town South Africa.
• Master of Counselling: 2017
• Courses in Concentration
• Bachelor of Information Technology (E-Commerce), 2013
• Matrikulasi (Matrikulasi), 2010