Psychiatric comorbidity in injecting drug users in Asia and Africa

Abstract

A better understanding of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in IDUs and its impact on the overall treatments is growing. However, more studies focusing on the treatment for psychiatric comorbidity in IDUs in Asia and Africa are needed.

Intravenous heroin use in Haiphong, Vietnam: Need for comprehensive care including methamphetamine use-related interventions

“…These results emphasize the importance of addressing psychiatric co-morbidities among PWID, particularly depression. Psychiatric co-morbidities are associated with reduced quality of life, increased HIV risk behaviours, an increase in drug use, and compromise adherence to treatment programs (Iskandar et al, 2012). It is a complex issue in Vietnam where psychiatric care is limited and psychiatric disorders/drug use are stigmatized, alongside a lack of specialized knowledge amongst professionals in methadone or HIV clinics.…”

“…It is a complex issue in Vietnam where psychiatric care is limited and psychiatric disorders/drug use are stigmatized, alongside a lack of specialized knowledge amongst professionals in methadone or HIV clinics. Routine assessment and appropriate referral should be organized according to local resources, including integrated care in MMT clinics (Iskandar et al, 2012; Tran et al, 2015). However, studies focusing on the treatment for psychiatric co-morbidity among PWID are still needed in Asia (Iskandar et al, 2012), in order to explore the crucial role of family support (Li et al, 2014; Li et al, 2013).…”

“…Facilitated access to substance use facilities, including methadone treatment, with fewer obligations, training on psychiatric co-morbidity for specialized staff, interventions targeting methamphetamine users, and interventions aiming to decrease the stigmatization associated with drug use and mental health disorders are all needed (Iskandar et al, 2012; Tran et al, 2016b). Because such measures are likely to relieve the burden associated with substance use disorders and their treatment, they need to be urgently implemented and evaluated.…”

Experience in care, burden, and hope of the family members of HIV patients with and without a history of injecting drug use in Indonesia: An exploratory case

“…The more problems perceived by the family member of HIV patients with a history of IDU may be due to the dual diagnosis. The percentage of dual diagnosis in injecting drug users is about 40% and HIV increases the change (Iskandar et al, 2012). As a response to the problems, we provide comprehensive care addressing addiction and psychiatric problems (Achmad et al, 2009;Degenhardt et al, 2010;Wolfe, Carrieri, & Shepard, 2010).…”

“…The abuse of several drugs (poly-drug use) is a common pattern among injecting drug users and increases the vulnerability to suffering from psychiatric disorders. Injecting drug users with medical, psychiatric, and substance use disorder comorbidities are likely to engage in high-risk behaviours, and when untreated, continue to fuel the HIV epidemic (Iskandar, Kamal, & De Jong, 2012). Substance abuse makes the overall problems more complex and leads to more stigmatization of HIV patients by society in general and also by healthcare providers (Wisaksana et al, 2010).…”