The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the social lifestyles of millions of people all over the world. It is a serious threat to public health and has spread rapidly around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the first reported case, which originated in Wuhan, on January 12, 2020. Meanwhile, on January 25, 2020, the first case in Malaysia was reported. To break the Covid-19 chain, the Malaysian government imposed a Movement Control Order (MCO) on March 18, 2020. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the covid-19 outbreak on the gaming addiction situation among Malaysian adolescents through the implementation of MCO. METHODOLOGY: This study focuses on Malaysian adolescents aged 18 to 21 who engage in online gaming, either mobile gaming or desktop gaming. The study's methodology includes an online survey via Google Forms and an online focused group (FG) session. Before being invited to the focused group discussion, participants were asked to complete an online screening survey using Dr. Kimberly S. Young's Young - Internet Addiction Diagnostic Questionnaire (IADQ; 1998). (FGD). The FGD result is recorded and transcribed for the analysis process. RESULT: Participants reported spending 4 to 5 hours on weekdays and more than 6 hours on weekends playing Mobile Legend (ML), their preferred online gaming platform. Furthermore, it was reported that siblings and friends influenced respondents to participate in online gaming

Psychological well-being is commonly used as one of main indicators of psychotherapy outcomes in substance abuse treatment settings. The manifestation of psychological well-being is best understood within the context where it is happening, that take into account the treatment setting and cultural context. The aim of this article is to investigate the applicability of the Clinical Outcome in Routine Evaluation (CORE) measure to substance abusers in Malaysia context. The CORE was used to examine their psychological well-being in relation to psychotherapy outcomes as they receive substance abuse treatment. One hundred Malaysian participants were drawn from a Malaysian prison and a residential drug treatment center that consists of the ethnic Malay, Chinese, and Indian. They responded to Malay language translated version of Clinical Outcome in Routine Evaluation (M-CORE � 34). The Malay version of the CORE obtained overall internal consistency value of Cronbach's alpha .84, which the value was in the range consistent with reliability scores by the previous studies. However, M-CORE produced significantly higher overall scores and in some domains than the original CORE. This article highlights potential issues in conducting the CORE in Malaysia context that incudes recognizing cultural differences to comprehend the psychological well-being of the participants.

Purpose of the study: This study aims to examine aspects of counseling supervision practices in a drug treatment center in Malaysia. The aspects are served as facilitative factors for supervisor to practice counseling supervision in the drug abuse field. Methodology: Data were collected using a mixed-method explanatory sequential research design that involved 30 respondents. Two sets of questionnaires were used namely Supervisee Levels Questionnaires-Revised and Supervisee Needs Index. A semi-structured interview was conducted to selected respondents to further explain and justify the quantitative data. Main Findings: The findings show that most of the respondents scored highest at motivation subscale and supervisor competency for their supervisee levels and their needs index, respectively. Four themes namely a) attending courses periodically, b) in-house training, c) supervision from the upper management, and (d) consultation from other agencies were examined to corroborate the quantitative results. Social implications and novelty: The findings of this study would facilitate the supervisors to focus more on the aspects found in this study throughout their counseling supervision practices. Having identified aspects that should be focused on during supervision would be served as a fundamental framework for future studies pertaining to counseling supervision practices. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study examines consensus aspects of counseling supervision practices, of which limited studies available in Malaysia. Each aspect of counseling supervision found in this study can be further investigated for future studies.

The number of relapsing addicts is increasingly worrying from year to year. This study was conducted to examine at the relationship between defense mechanisms and the level of readiness to change in relapsing addicts. Although the drug addicts have been treated at the treatment center, however, repeated cases of drug addicts still occur. Six research questions were developed to see how far the variables consisting of defense mechanisms could correlate with readiness to change among addicts who were undergoing treatment. This study was carried out involving 125 addicts in two separate treatment centers in Melaka and Selangor. The selected sample were addicts who have undergone a relapse phase at least once in drug addiction. Statistical data analysis using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences 20 (SPSS-20) were used to analyze the data. Statistical descriptive is used to view the results of demographic data constructed. T-test and ANOVA are used to see the relationship between the variables. The regression analysis is used to predict the defense mechanisms with the stage of readiness to change among relapsing addicts. The results showed that the defense mechanism had a significant relationship to the stage of readiness to change among samples. The results of this study provide information on treatment services in the drug rehabilitation to improve the treatment method appropriately to the drug addicts in preventing relapse.

COVID-19 is a worldwide pandemic that has had a detrimental effect on all facets of our life. As a result, there are major implication to the counseling implication. According to literature, the effects include higher anxiety and depression levels among the general population, adverse psychological impact on their daily livelihood, and higher domestic and alcohol abuse rates. This article discusses the general effects of COVID-19 to the counseling profession and its implication for counseling practice especially for counseling practitioners and counselor education programs in a Malaysian context.

The appraisal of defense mechanisms and self-control in recovery substance abuse clients in Malaysia is vital as it provides self-support for maintaining recovery. This study aims to investigate types of defense mechanisms in recovering substance abuse clients and its relation to self-control level. The study was carried out on 138 respondents. The respondents were randomly selected among recovering substance abuse clients in a rehabilitation centre. The data indicated that neurotic defence mechanisms (M=14.29, SD=3.93) are the most prominent among the respondents. Meanwhile, the respondents' self-control scored at average level (M=47.03, SD = 8.76). There was a positive correlation between immaturity defense style and self-control (r = 0.36, p = 0.0). This study concludes that with continued treatment and support, they can remain in recovery and sober.

Approaching defense mechanisms from the standpoint of drug addiction, it is proposed that defense mechanisms appear along the process of relapse. This study aims to determine the defense mechanism styles of relapsing addicts. A statistical description research design and cluster area sampling method was applied in sample choosing process. 135 respondents were involved in this study, which were randomly chosen from seven centers in East Coast and central zone of Peninsular Malaysia. The findings of the study indicate that neurotic defense mechanisms (M=12.46, S.D=2.14) are the most prominent amongst relapsing addicts, which undoing defense became a major defense style. These findings demonstrate that relapsing addicts employ multiple defense mechanisms styles and all these styles confirm the existence and nature of sub-culture in addiction. The use of defense mechanisms as emotional homeostasis amongst relapsing addicts indicates to incorporate the components of defense mechanisms in relapse prevention counseling.

This paper deliberates an overview of dual diagnosis cases in drug addicts in terms of its emerging challenges and efforts have been made to counter them. Drug addiction problem was declared as a number one nation enemy in Malaysia since 1986 by Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohammad. Many efforts have been putting up in order to combat the drug addiction problem. Malaysia government through National Anti-Drug Agency (NADA) provide treatment not only for drug addicts but also for significant others affected by the life of addict.

Psychosocial interventions are varied for substance abuse treatment. The aim of the present article was to investigate the effects of solution-focused group therapy with substance abuse clients in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from July 2015 through August 2015. In a quasi-experimental design, fifty-seven participants were selected and they completed a pre- and post-assessment on Treatment Outcomes Questionnaire and Clinical Outcome in Routine Evaluation. Results indicated that the participants' treatment outcomes and psychological well-being significantly increased upon receiving solution-focused therapy. However, adaptation of its interventions, such as the miracle question and scaling technique may be necessary in response to collectivist and past-time orientation culture of Malaysian client.

Counseling practices are informed by traditional approaches – identifying the root of the client’s problems or causes and removing them, thus bringing relief to the client. In psychoanalysis, the causes may be located in the deep recesses of the mind (repression); for the Rogerian they may reside in the client’s discrepancy between ideal-self and real self; while the cognitive counselor will trace the root of the problem to defective thinking. Social constructionism challenges these approaches to counseling practices.

Even though there are a number of articles that have been published to guide practitioners working with Muslim families and couples, most of them focus on Muslim in the United States. To date, there is no published article that guides counselors working with Malay Muslim families and couples in Malaysia. Family and couples counseling in Malaysia is done by professional counselors registered with the Malaysian Board of Counselors. The counseling and family therapy models that they learn during their training have been developed by Western researchers and practitioners. To use such models, Malay counselors need to be cautious due to cultural differences between Western and local cultures. The authors have chosen the Multigenerational approach founded by Murray Bowen (1993) to discuss its application for Malay Muslim families and couples. The approach is chosen because of its seeming relevance for Malay Muslim. The authors review basic concepts of Bowen�s approach, and how it can be applied in understanding Malay Muslim families and couples. A case study is also provided.

Digital addiction among society has been a universal problem to many countries in the world. This addiction includes their excessive use of the digital electronics gadgets which are linked to the internet and are used for activities such as online-gaming, gambling and surfing social networking sites. These compulsive behaviours have caused negative effects to the addicts that lead to stress and major depressions, which in turn cause low quality of life. However, many previous studies mainly focus on factors and impact of digital addiction but is lacking in emphasizing on the prevention strategies in curbing digital addiction among adolescents in Malaysia. Therefore, this study aims at developing an integrated digital addiction prevention framework which can help the authority to detect, correct and prevent the internet addiction among Malaysian adolescents in the long run. This study will adapt a qualitative approach to which data will be collected using focus groups interviews from the adolescents and experts. This research is expected to produce a digital addiction prevention framework which can be used as a blueprint for combating digital addiction among adolescents in Malaysia.

This study identifies the clients’ perception regarding to the inhalant use, consumption period, types of inhalant, inhalant as gateway substance and whether inhalant is not a choice or still being used. This study has adopted quantitative and qualitative approach. Samples of study were clients from selected rehabilitation centers including CCRC Dengkil, CCRC Jelebu, CCVC Sepang, C&C Tampin, CCRC Serendah, CCRC Kg. Selamat, C&C Bukit Mertajam, CCRC Muar, CCRC Papar dan CCRC Sarawak. The centers selected constituted to 10% of rehabilitation centers available in Malaysia. Total of respondents for quantitative were n=263 and for face-to-face interview, 10 participant were selected to triangulate the data from questionnaire. The samples were selected by using purposive sampling technique. The data from questionnaire was analyzed by using descriptive statistic to generate the data acquired. The transcribed interviews were analyzed and governed by using content analysis technique. Result showed that, inhalant use among clients in rehabilitation center is still progressively occurred. Most of them use inhalant for less than 5 months and the most popular and favored type of inhalant is glue or specifically called as “gam cap senapang”. A new innovated of inhalant is produced in which the combination of substances are made to fulfil the sense of pleasure. This study shows the classic theory of ‘gateway’ is agreeable. Keyword:Perception, Teacher, Inhalant, ACREDA, Drug

Post-modernism orientation has started to gain attention in counseling services over the past two decades. The aims of this paper is to review the features of post-modernism counseling that includes examining its differences on several dimensions of counseling compared to traditional counseling. Attention is given to conceptual application of the features in addiction counseling. It is proposed that post-modernism orientation in counseling appears to be appropriate and useful for treating addictive disorder clients.

The psychological well-being of online gamers has gotten more attention as online games have become recognized in the e-sport field. Hence, identifying the psychological status of gamers is essential to ensure their well-being is at optimum, and further interventions can be strategized if needed. The identified psychological profiles include psychological well-being, duration of play, and internet gaming disorder. A total of 221 Muslim online gamers from various e-sport centers and academies in Malaysia participated in this study. The psychological well-being was measured using Psychological Well-Being Scale, while IGD was measured using the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form. The results indicated that the frequency of playing online games and daily play duration were associated with gamers' psychological well-being. Furthermore, preoccupation and withdrawal symptoms of gaming disorder were significant in predicting psychological well-being. The importance of this study for Muslim online gamers is to increase their awareness on the continued interweaving of psychological well-being and internet gaming disorder experience, so that early mental distress can be best addressed.

This article describes a female university student aged 22-year-old. The client was referred by a psychiatrist, from Addiction Clinic, Psychiatry & Mental Health, Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah for crisis management for panic attacks and supportive counseling as well as motivational interviewing on her substance use. The client presented with complaints of having panic symptoms such as hand tremors, sweating, unable to talk to anyone, and dizziness. She also complained of having difficulty sleeping due to fear of having a nightmare of traumatic events, overthinking, low self-esteem, and loss of focus in her study. The assessment was done on both the informal and formal levels. For informal assessment, an intake interview was conducted to gain information about her background and substance use history; the mental status examination was done, a life event chart was used, and for the purpose of formal assessment TAPS (Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription medication, and other Substance use Tool) and Stages of Change was used. The score of each test suggests that the client is having substance use problems (i.e alcohol & nicotine) and her stage of change is contemplation. The primary diagnosis is F10.10, Alcohol Use Disorder, Mild, and the secondary diagnosis is F43.0, Acute Stress Disorder. In terms of intervention plan rapport building, supportive psychotherapy, psychoeducation, relaxation techniques, addiction cycle, and relapse prevention technique were used. The overall outcome of the process was an improvement of her alcoholic symptoms due to traumatic events and desirable behavior in getting sober from alcohol use. After the sixth counseling session, her stage of change progressed from contemplation stage to preparation.

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between emotional states and coping styles among high risk students at Hilir Perak district secondary school. Specifically, this correlational study is conducted to investigate the level of emotional states among high risk students which includes: (a) to investigate the level of depression, (b) to investigate the level of anxiety, and (c) to investigate the level of stress. This study was also conducted to identify the coping styles among high risk students and examine the relationship between emotional states and coping styles among high risk students. The quantitative study was done by using a survey research design.. A total of 140 students consisting of Form One to Six students from five secondary schools in the Hilir Perak district were respondents in the study. Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) was used to measure depression, anxiety and stress levels while the Soal Selidik Gaya Daya Tindak (SSGDT) was used to measure coping styles. Data were analysed using statistical descriptive which include a percentage and mean. Inferential analysis using Pearson r correlation statistical analysis were used for variables to be compared using interval measurement scale. Findings indicate the level of depression and stress for high risk student is at a normal level while the level of anxiety is in a mild level. Correlational analysis indicate that the level of anxiety and stress levels are correlated with their coping style. Therefore, the findings indicate several implication for the study.