Substance rehabilitation: strategies that promote family recovery from addiction effects at Mathari Rehabilitation Centre, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Substance use is no longer fun in the family today but a threat to family uprightness and a thorn in the society. Rehabilitation institutions endeavour to rehabilitate substance addicts through programmed recovery services. However, family members of the addict are either forgotten or assumed not sick or not in need of recovery services. This study focuses on strategies that promote family recovery from substance addiction effects. The study was guided by Family Systems Theory. This is a descriptive research design with a target population of 45. Both probability and non-probability sampling techniques were used to obtain a sample size of 20 participants that included inpatient addicts, professionals and family members of an addict. Semi-structured interview guides were used to collect data. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically in line with the research questions. The findings are of great benefit in the discipline of psychology, the family and the society. Recommendations were stated; schedule family recovery programmes, increase trained psychological counsellors and incorporate a multidisciplinary team to handle family towards recovery.