Relationship Between Family Resilience And Relapse Risk Among Discharged Substance Users Attending Alcoholic Anonymous Groups In Nairobi City County; Kenya.

Abstract

Families encounter challenges when their loved one has a substance use disorder and has gone through a relapse. Relapse is the greatest hindrance to the fight against drug and substance abuse globally because it makes it very hard for people to stay away from substance abuse even after they have utilized resources in the rehabilitation process. Understanding all the aspects that impact relapse either positively or negatively is the foundation of understanding measures that can be established to curb this Substance use, hence the importance of this investigation. The study was designed to determine whether a relationship between family resilience and relapse risk existed among discharged individuals with SUD attending alcoholic anonymous groups in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Study objectives included: to determine the level of resilience among families of discharged substance users, to determine the status of relapse risk among discharged recovering individuals, and to establish the relationship between family resilience and relapse risk among the discharged substance users attending alcoholic anonymous groups in Nairobi city County, Kenya. The study employed a correlational research design using self-administered questionnaires to collect information on both relapse risk and family resilience. A sample of 93 respondents participated in the study. The theoretical framework used was Family Adjustment and Adaptation Response (FAAR). The SPSS version 23 was used to analyze the data that showed significant correlation between family resilience and relapse risk, meaning that individuals with higher family resilience have a lower risk of relapse to substance use disorder. This finding has a major implication for relapse prevention such as suggesting that facilitators at the AA groups help recovering substance users explore their relationship with their loved ones. This would ensure that the individuals have worked on their resentments.