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Alcoholism and Drug Abuse in Nigeria: Counselling Implications

Usen, S. A., Ph.D, Iwok, J. C. Ph.D

Abstract

This study investigated alcoholism and drug abuse in Nigeria, focusing on its prevalence, determinants, health and social consequences, effects on productivity and education, and counselling intervention strategies. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected from 600 respondents using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, mean scores, standard deviations, correlation, and t-test statistics. The findings revealed among others that alcoholism and drug abuse were highly prevalent, as 69.0% of respondents perceived the problem as either highly prevalent or very highly prevalent. Public enlightenment campaigns (Mean = 3.74) and individual counselling (Mean = 3.70) were identified as effective intervention strategies. Hypotheses testing revealed significant relationships among the variables studied (p < 0.05). The study concluded that comprehensive preventive, counselling, and rehabilitation programmes were essential for addressing substance abuse in Nigeria.

Keywords

AlcoholismDrug AbuseSubstance AbuseCounselling InterventionsPublic HealthNigeria.

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