Original Research Article
Year: 2021 | Month: February | Volume: 11 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 72-83
Comparative Effectiveness of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Alcohol Anonymous in Treating Alcohol Use Disorder among University Undergraduates in a Subsaharan Country
Adedotun Samuel Ajiboye1, Bolade O Mokuolu2, Mobolaji Usman Dada3
1Clinical Psychologist, Department of Psychiatry, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
2Clinical Psychologist, Department of Psychology, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
3Consultant Psychiatrist, Department of Psychiatry, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
Corresponding Author: Mobolaji Usman Dada
ABSTRACT
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) has been identified as a major contributor to global burden of disease and is among the mental disorders with lowest treatment rates. This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of AUD and its treatment among undergraduates of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. This study was in two phases. In phase one, an epidemiological survey was employed where multistage sampling technique was used to select participating students (N = 1751; Mean age = 21.53; Males, N = 844; Mean age = 22.04, and Females N= 907; Mean age =21.05). Sociodemographic and baseline data were collected in phase one through biodata form and Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) respectively. Phase two employed randomized control trial design where 24 students who scored 7 (derived norm for AUDIT in this study) and above in AUDIT were randomly assigned into three treatment groups (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Alcoholic Anonymous (AA), CBT/AA-combined) and one control group. The prevalence of AUD among the sampled population is as follows: (Total sampled population = 36%; males = 41.5%; females = 30.9%). The difference of pre and post-therapy tests were statistically significant for AUD (CBT group: t (5) = 6.13, p <.01; AA group: t (5) = 4.59, p <.01; CBT/AA-combined group: t (5) = 3.71, p <.05). The difference between pre and post therapy tests were statistically significant for dependence use in CBT group: t (5) = 2.65, p< .05; but were not statistically significant for dependence use in AA group: t (5) = 1.55, p = .18. and AA/CBT-combined group (t (5) = 2.37, p = .064). From these findings, psychosocial approaches are needed to effectively assess and treat AUD. More so, treatment facilities should be utilized and made available early to prevent students from going into dependence phase of AUD. So, in order to reduce the prevalence of AUD among University Undergraduates, early psychosocial detection and evidence based treatments of AUD should be prioritized in the schools to avert physical, mental, and social harms of AUD.
Key words: Alcohol Use Disorder, University Undergraduate, Assessment, Treatment, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Alcoholics Anonymous.