Accessing dual diagnosis treatment : challenges faced by young women who use drugs

Abstract

Drug use and mental health conditions often co-occur, and this is often referred to as dual diagnosis. Young women who use drugs face unique challenges in accessing dual diagnosis treatment, including stigma, limited access to care, and lack of gender-responsive services. This study understands and studies the barriers that young women in Malta are facing when battling mental health challenges and are also struggling with drug addiction. Dated and recent studies show that gender related discrimination is still rampant in today’s society. A qualitative design was used to collect data for this research. In-depth interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals from the Female DDU at Mount Carmel Hospital, to understand their experiences with young women accessing dual diagnosis treatment. The data collected was analysed using thematic analysis to identify common themes and patterns in the experiences of young women. All required permissions were gathered to access DDU staff at Mount Carmel Hospital.