Brasami Clinic announces Curaçao-Aruba addiction treatment agreement

Ijolene Constancia, director of the Brasami addiction clinic, has announced a significant agreement between Curaçao and Aruba following a series of meetings. The foundation operates on the principle that addiction is both a psychiatric disease and a brain disorder.

Addressing the phenomenon known as ‘Double Trouble’—where individuals suffer from both addiction and psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety—the clinic emphasizes a specific stabilization protocol. In cases of drug-induced psychosis, patients must first be medically stabilized to manage psychotic symptoms before beginning addiction-specific treatment at Brasami.

The clinic utilizes a ‘seven life areas’ model to provide comprehensive care. This approach moves beyond basic needs like food and shelter, focusing instead on a holistic method that includes medication, emotional support, mental health management, and the development of social skills.