Descending into the hell of drug abuse and mental illness is no joke.

Although local statistics on the number of people suffering the double problem of mental illness and chemical dependence are sparse, some 140 sufferers (a number of whom are repeat patients), are said to benefit from services at Mount Carmel Hospital’s Dual Diagnosis Unit every year.

Patients are usually in a state of chaos, with reactive mental health problems and unable to participate in community life, despite the detox and rehabilitation services available. There is no such thing as recreational drug use or a social drink for someone with a severe psychiatric illness, and the chances of committing suicide multiply.

Dual diagnoses (DD) sufferers have different and particular problems. Some have a primary substance use addiction and suffer from psychosocial problems as a result of this, while others have a severe mental condition such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, aggravated by drug use.

DD patients may, in fact, be described as the worst troublemakers and the ones everyone has given up on. They have problems with the judiciary, their family, jobs, friends, relationships and society in general. Some are frustrated and turn aggressive.

“A substance use disorder is a chronic relapsing condition that requires a chain of services, which must be ongoing,” explained Addiction Consultant Psychiatrist Anthony Dimech in an interview being published in tomorrow’s issue of The Malta Independent.

A vicious cycle occurs, in which the substance use erodes the individual’s lifestyle, makes the mental illness harder to treat and may even worsen the illness itself. The individual becomes increasingly reliant on the substance to treat the symptoms of the illness and will not be able to follow through a rehabilitation programme.

Drug users are more subject to physical health problems and those suffering from dual diagnosis will often miss medical appointments, with their general health and well being subsequently deteriorating.

The DDU therefore helps drug addicts suffering from mental health problems with their general physical and mental well being while weaning them off drugs.

The collaboration of a multidisciplinary group and non-governmental organisations is crucial to the work with the doubly troubled.

The full interview with Dr Dimech, together with DDU nursing officer Mario Cassar and nurse Alan Mizzi, will be published in tomorrow’s issue of The Malta Independent.