THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COUNSELING STRATEGIES AND REHABILITATION CENTERS IN CURBING CONSUMPTION OF ILLICIT BREWS IN LAIKIPIA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Consumption of illicit alcoholic brews is a national concern in Kenya. There are several approaches being used in curbing this menace and counseling is one of them. However, there is little empirical data that shows the effectiveness of counselors’ involvement in curbing consumption of illicit brews and the counseling strategies used in Laikipia County This study was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of counseling strategies used in curbing illicit brews in Laikipia County. Specific objectives included examining the effectiveness of Psychoanalytic therapy in curbing consumption of illicit brews in Laikipia County; establishing the effectiveness of Cognitive therapy in curbing consumption of illicit brews; investigating the effectiveness of Gestalt therapy in curbing consumption of illicit brews; establishing the prevalence of different counseling strategies used in curbing consumption of illicit brews and determining the effectiveness of rehabilitation centers in curbing consumption of illicit brews in Laikipia County. To realize these objectives the study used descriptive survey research design whose outcome was a description of the phenomenon under study. The target population was 548 counselors found in the County, either as private practitioners, school counselors or religious leaders; and the estimated 10,000 consumers of illicit brews in the County. The researcher used a sample of 721 respondents selected through stratified sampling technique guided by Krejcie and Morgan Sample Size Table. This comprised of 351 counselors and 370 consumers of illicit brews. The research instruments were a questionnaire and an interview guide for focused group discussion. The questionnaire had open-ended and closed ended questions. The researcher administered the instruments to the respondents in selected learning institutions, rehabilitation centers, private practitioners and religious centers in Laikipia County. Data obtained was then analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22. Both inferential and descriptive statistics were used on the data. Inferential statistics included ANOVA and co-efficient determination.The study revealed that Psychoanalytic therapy is used to a significant extent in the area, Cognitive counseling strategy to a significant extent while Gestalt counseling strategy is used to a moderate extent. It also revealed that clients prefer group counseling to individual counseling, while most would rather have family based counseling rather than go through rehabilitation centers. Rehabilitation centers play a modest role in curbing the consumption of illicit brews in Laikipia County. The study revealed that counselors use of Psychoanalytic counseling strategy is more prevalent followed by Cognitive therapy then gestalt counseling strategy. The study recommends that counselors should improve their counseling skills for people addicted to illicit brews while the government and counselors should embark on a sensitization programmes to increase the use of counseling strategies in curbing consumption of illicit brews. The county government should increase the number of rehabilitation homes by investing in low cost community based rehabilitation centers. The government should support co-option of recovering illicit brews drinkers into rehabilitation programs in order to motivate other illicit brew consumers to get counseling. The study has shed light on the various counseling based interventions that are available to social workers and other Government agencies including NACADA officers that could help curb consumption of illicit brews in Laikipia County.