Effectiveness of Care Support Groups in Maintaining Sobriety Among People Recovering From Alcohol Abuse in Rehabilitation Centres in Selected Counties in Kenya

Abstract

Alcohol addiction remains a significant public health challenge in Kenya, with approximately 3.2 million Kenyans struggling with alcohol dependency. Despite the establishment of rehabilitation centers offering care support groups, limited empirical evidence exists regarding their effectiveness in maintaining long-term sobriety among alcohol addicts in Kenyan contexts. This knowledge gap hinders the development of evidence-based interventions and optimal resource allocation for addiction treatment services. This study determined the effectiveness of care support groups in maintaining sobriety among alcohol addicts in rehabilitation centers in selected counties, Kenya. The study sought to: establish the benefits of care support groups in sustaining sobriety among alcohol addicts in rehabilitation centers in selected counties in Kenya, examine the factors influencing alcohol addicts to seek support at care groups to maintain sobriety in rehabilitation centers in selected counties in Kenya, explore the challenges faced by alcohol addicts attending care support groups in rehabilitation centers in selected counties in Kenya, and investigate the strategies employed by care support groups to promote long-term sobriety of alcohol addicts in rehabilitation centers in selected counties in Kenya. The research was grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Theory and the Motivational Enhancement Model. The study adopted a convergent parallel mixed-method research design. The target population was 285 patients enrolled in care support groups across Amani Acres Rehabilitation Centre in Mombasa County, Serene Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in Kiambu County, and Lamu Rehabilitation Centre in Lamu County. A sample of 182 participants was selected through stratified random sampling, while purposive sampling selected 15 key informants. Data was collected using five-point Likert scale questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The study achieved 85% response rate with 155 participants. The research instrument demonstrated high reliability with Cronbach's Alpha of 0.87. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 30.0, employing descriptive and inferential statistics including correlation and regression analysis, while qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Support group benefits significantly predicted sobriety maintenance, explaining 49.1% of variance. Motivation for recovery, trigger understanding, and emotional well-being emerged as key benefits. Influencing factors significantly predicted sobriety maintenance, explaining 40.2% of variance, with personal readiness to change and motivation to change behavior being primary motivators. Challenges showed negative prediction of sobriety maintenance, explaining 25.8% of variance, with inconsistent participation, fear of judgment, and difficulty sharing experiences being primary barriers. Strategies employed strongly predicted sobriety maintenance, explaining 47.3% of variance, with trigger identification, coping skills development, and peer accountability being most effective. Multiple regression analysis revealed that these four variables collectively explained 55.1% of variance in sobriety maintenance. Benefits emerged as the strongest predictor, followed by strategies, influencing factors, and challenges. Effective support group participation through evidence-based strategies is essential for maintaining long-term sobriety. Interventions should prioritize emotional support, peer accountability, and skills development to foster recovery outcomes and reduce relapse rates. This study has significance for addiction treatment professionals, rehabilitation center administrators, policymakers, NACADA, county health departments, family members, and individuals struggling with alcohol addiction in Kenya.