Author(s)

Nwoga Charles Nnaemeka^1*, Audu Moses David¹, Sambo Jacob Dusu², Mafai Danboyi Kwei³, Dakwak Samuel Joseph⁴, Ndak Andarawus Zuhumnan⁵, Babatunde Stephen⁶

¹Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
²Department of Community Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria.
³Psychology Department, Quintessential Healthcare Centre, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
⁴Psychology Department, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
⁵Plateau State Hospital Management Board, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
⁶Department of Psychology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Objective: We studied the feasibility of using Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) linked with Brief Intervention (ALBI) in treating Substance Use Disorder in Nigeria. There is a clear gap in meeting the needs for treatment and care for people with drug use disorders in Nigeria with many users reporting a self-perceived need for treatment and about 40% of them wanting to receive drug treatment but were unable to access such services. Methods: ASSIST questionnaire was used to gather baseline data, and ALBI along with Motivational Interviewing (MI) was used to intervene for 6 weeks following which ASSIST score was repeated and compared with baseline. Results: Majority of the participants were aged 21 - 30 years, mostly males with (61.3%) lacking steady jobs. Lifetime prevalence of any drug use was (88.2%). Three months prevalence was nicotine (72.0%), alcohol (66.7%), cannabis (47.3%), opioids (11.8%) among others. The ASSIST scores were mostly on the severe ranges. ASSIST result after six weeks showed marked reduction. The Mean Difference (MD) in the ASSIST scores after intervention was significant for tobacco, opioids, alcohol, and cannabis. The Cohen’s D effect size was large for tobacco (1.08), alcohol (0.92) and cannabis (0.73) but low for other substances. Conclusion: ALBI along with MI was helpful in combating the menace of substance use.

ASSIST, ALBI, SUD, Rural Community, Nigeria

Nnaemeka, N. , David, A. , Dusu, S. , Kwei, M. , Joseph, D. , Zuhumnan, N. and Stephen, B. (2024) Feasibility Study of Assist-Linked Brief Intervention for Substance Use Disorders in a Rural Community of Plateau State, Nigeria. Open Journal of Psychiatry, 14, 206-222. doi: 10.4236/ojpsych.2024.143012.