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Efficacy of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (Rebt) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on Drug Users in the NDLEA Rehabilitation Centre, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Fatima Abiola Popoola, Prof. Yusuf Ahmadu, Matthew B Usman, Ph.D

Abstract

This study examined the efficacy of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy on drug users in the NDLEA Rehabilitation Centre, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. Drug abuse remains a major public health challenge globally and in Nigeria, with significant psychological, social, and behavioural consequences. The study was guided by three research questions and three corresponding hypotheses. A quasi- experimental research design involving a pre-test and post-test approach was adopted. The population consisted of 60 drug users in the NDLEA Rehabilitation Centre, Abuja, who were purposively assigned into two treatment groups: REBT (n = 30) and CBT (n = 30). Data were collected using the Drug User Behavioural Scale , which measured cognitive impairments, social withdrawal, and emotional instability. The instrument was validated by experts and had a reliability coefficient of 0.82 obtained through test-retest method. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (paired sample t-test and ANOVA) at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that both REBT and CBT significantly improved cognitive functioning, reduced social withdrawal, and decreased emotional instability among drug users after intervention. The hypotheses tested showed statistically significant differences between pre-test and post-test scores, indicating the effectiveness of the therapies in promoting behavioural and emotional adjustment. The study concluded that REBT and CBT are effective psychological interventions for the rehabilitation of drug users. It was recommended that NDLEA rehabilitation centres should integrate structured cognitive-behavioural therapies into their treatment programmes to enhance recovery outcomes and reduce relapse rates among drug users. IJEE IJEE www.ijee.io

Keywords

Drug abuseRational Emotive Behaviour TherapyCognitive Behavioural Therapyrehabilitationdrug usersNigeria.

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