Prof. Drs. Subandi, M.A., Ph.D., Psikolog, a lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), was invited to serve as both facilitator and speaker at the Psychospirituality and Recovery of Substance Use Disorders Workshop, organized by the Malaysian Association of Drug Addiction Counselors (MADAC) in collaboration with Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). This event was held from 26–29 October 2025 at the Royal Park Hotel @UNITEN, Bangi, Malaysia.
This workshop marks the first phase of a multi-stage training series designed to strengthen Islamic psychospiritual-based rehabilitation approaches in addressing Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). Over the four-day program, twenty five participants — including counselors, psychologists, religious facilitators, academics, and NGO practitioners — engaged in sessions integrating psychological approaches with Islamic spiritual principles in the recovery process.
In this event, Prof. Subandi played a vital role as a keynote speaker, presenting the concepts of tazkiyah al-nafs (purification of the soul) and ishlah al-qalb (reformation of the heart) as foundational elements of a holistic recovery process encompassing spiritual, emotional, and cognitive dimensions. His approach draws from Sufi traditions and evidence-based counseling practices.
Alongside Prof. Subandi, other distinguished speakers included Dato’ Dr. Abd Halim Mohd Hussin, K.B.:P.A., and Ahmad Yunus, S.Pd., M.Couns. (Substance Abuse), K.B.:P.A. from MADAC. The workshop featured lectures, group discussions, and the development of mini psychospiritual intervention projects, aimed at enhancing participants’ capacity to design holistic, community-based rehabilitation programs.
Through the active participation of the Faculty of Psychology UGM in this event, it is expected that sustainable academic collaboration between Indonesia and Malaysia will continue to grow, particularly in developing faith-based and scientifically grounded approaches to addiction rehabilitation.
Writer: Raden Roro Anisa Anggi Dinda