Factors influencing alcohol relapse among patients in alcohol and substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation programme (asatrep) in Kiambu county, Kenya.

Abstract

Background: Alcohol use disorder poses adverse consequences to the users, their families and the larger society. In Kiambu County, it has been a major concern which led to establishment of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Programme to reduce its impact. Despite this, clients who go to these programmes often relapse, hence the need to investigate underlying factors influencing relapse. Objective: The aim of the study was to establish factors influencing alcohol relapse among patients treated at ASATREP in Kiambu County. Methodology: This was a case-control study design conducted in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Programme (ASATREP), Kiambu County, among alcohol-relapsed and non-relapsed patients after initiation of alcohol treatment. Cases included 134 patients who relapsed while controls were 134 patients who did not relapse within 6 months after treatment at the time of the study. Questionnaires were used to collect data while analysis was done using percentages, mean, chi square, odds ratio and regression analysis. Findings: The study found out that patients who were not married were more likely to relapse than the married ones (p=0.002). In addition, peer pressure was a significant reason for drinking alcohol in those who relapsed [OR 3.1 (95% CI 1.5-6.6), p=0.002]. On the other hand, patients’ age, gender, employment status and religion were not significantly different in the two study groups. Patients who relapsed to alcohol use had a significantly higher Penn alcohol craving score (PACS) with a mean of 25.3 compared to those who did not relapse (mean 8.8), p<0.001. Conclusion: Alcohol relapse patients have a very high craving score for alcohol. Relapse is not associated with age, gender or education level of the alcohol addicts. On the other hand, marital status, having trouble sleeping and use of other drugs besides alcohol were independent predictors of alcohol relapse. Recommendations: There is need to address peer pressure and abuse of other drugs other than alcohol during treatment and rehabilitation because the study showed that there is a strong association between use of other drugs and alcohol relapse.