Before the English speaking chapter of DRA in the Netherlands can initiate meetings under the Dual Recovery Anonymous format, it is imperative to get in contact and register with the central office in the US. According to DRAOnline: "The Dual Recovery Anonymous name and crest are trademarks protected, and may not be reproduced withotu express written permission of Dual Recovery Anonymous World Network, Inc."
For this reason and because we would like to pass out literature, brochures, meeting pamphlets, and sobriety coins, Dual Recovery Anonymous English (DRAE) must contact the Dual Recovery Anonymous World Network Central Office for permission. Unfortunately, the phone number listed on the website doesn't work and their contact information has not been updated in some time. I've read posts on their Facebook page indicating that other people are experiencing the same issue and unable to contact them by phone.
There are a few other avenues to get in contact with them but this seems to be an indication of a greater issue. The website does not appear to be maintained; what makes this disturbing and worthy of addressing in a blog post, is that this is supposed to be the World Central Office for Dual Recovery Anonymous. The copyright dates on the website footer are 1993-2009. This isn't an indication that the website and database are not maintained but one would expect to see a recent copyright date on the website and literature.
If the database on the website isn't being maintained, then there is not a centralised place people can turn to for resources for dual diagnosis support. This is just an example of one of the roadblocks, not just for me, but for other dually diagnosed individuals who are trying to get help for both their addiction and mental illness.
In the future, DRAE would like to be part of a larger movement that helps people to get access to DRA meetings and dual diagnosis recources in general. But as it is said: "One step at a time."
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