A Survey of factors in Relapse among Alcoholics in selected Rehabilitation Centers in Nairobi, Kenya.

Abstract

The increase of alcoholism with associated adverse consequences among adolescents and young adults has been an issue of great concern in many parts of world and Kenya in particular. In response, there has been an increase in the establishment of treatment and rehabilitation services and demand for the same to assist alcohol abusers in recovery and prevention of relapse. However, despite the availability and demand of these services, there has been also a simultaneous increase in alcohol abuse and relapse cases. This scenario cast doubts on the effectiveness of the existing treatment and rehabilitation services in meeting the ever-increasing number of admitted cases. The purpose of study was to establish factors contributing to relapse in selected rehabilitation centers in Nairobi, Kenya. This study adopted cross sectional research design and focused on eight rehabilitations centers with admission of 226 clients. Purposive, Probability Proportionate to Size (PPS) and simple random sampling methods were used to select participating centers and respondents. The sample sizes were 144 alcoholics and 8 professional helpers. However, 82 alcoholics and 5 professional helpers were included in data analysis as some were lost due to inconsistent responses and non-responses. Data was collected the through administration of two sets of self-administered questionnaires to the selected respondents. Data was analyzed and presented using frequencies, percentages, cross tabulations, Chi- square, pie-charts and tables. Data analysis was performed by the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study found out that more than half (62%) of the alcoholics in rehabilitation centers were relapsees and they had slipped to drinking more than once. The study established that relapse did not just occur but there were factors within the individual and environment that were associated with it. The study recommends that alcoholics need to be assisted to assume an active role in changing drinking behaviors by enhancing their abilities to overcome or cope with risk situations.