An impact assessment of a current inpatient alcohol rehabilitation programme in the Western Cape

Date
2003-12
Authors
Davis, Lauren (Lauren Jodi)
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the South African context, research on the impact of alcohol rehabilitation is particularly limited. This study aimed at describing the impact of the alcohol rehabilitation programme offered at Neuro Clinic D, Stikland Hospital. Outcome was assessed at 12-15 months with the objective of exploring the perceptions and experiences of the ex-patients to ascertain whether there has been an improvement in psychological well-being and positive lifestyle changes. The study was motivated by a request made by the staff at Neuro Clinic D; as such an investigation has never been conducted. Both quantitative and qualitative methodologies were used to gather data from 44 out of the 166 ex-patients admitted to Neuro Clinic D between January and June 2002. The relationships between the rate of relapse and age, gender, marital status, employment status, previous rehabilitation, health problems, police contact, aftercare attendance, participation in the 3- or 4- week programme and other medication/substance abuse were explored. While no statistically significant relationships were found between any of the variables, some evidence of interaction emerged with regards to the relationships between relapse status and participation in the 3- or 4-week programme, aftercare attendance, employment and marital status. The qualitative analysis revealed four central themes, namely coping mechanisms; responses to specific components of the programme; confounding factors and the impact of the programme. An integration of the quantitative and qualitative data supports the conclusion that while there was a low rate of consistent abstinence, the respondents reported an overall post-treatment improvement in psychological well-being and positive lifestyle changes.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Navorsing op die impak van alcohol rehabilitasie is besonder beperk in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks. Hierdie studie het ten doelom die impak van die alcohol rehabilitasie program, gebied deur Neuro Kliniek D, Stikland Hospitaal, te beskryf. Die uitkoms is bepaal na 12-15 maande deur die persepsies en envaringe van eks-pasiente te ondersoek om sodoende vas te stelof daar verbetering was in sielkundige welstand en of positiewe leefstyle veranderinge aangegaan is. Die betrokke studie is gemotiveer deur 'n versoek gerig deur die personeel van Neuro Kliniek D, aangesien so 'n ondersoek nog nooit vantevore gedoen is nie. Beide kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe metodologieë is gebruik om data in te samel van 44 die 166 eks-pasiente toegelaat tot Neuro Kliniek D tussen Januarie en Junie 2002. Die korrelasie/verhouding tussen die terugvalkoers en ouderdom, geslag, huwelikstatus, werkstatus, vonge rehabilitasie, gesondheidsprobleme, polisie kontak, nasorg bywoning, deelname in die 3- of 4-week program en ander medikasie/substans misbruik is ondersoek. Terwyl geen statisties beduidende verhoudinge gevind is tussen enige van die veranderlikes nie, is daar wel aanduidings van interaksie met betrekking tot die verhouding tussen terugvalstatus en deelname aan die 3- of 4- week program, nasorg bywoning, werkstatus en huwelikstatus. Die kwalitatiewe analise het 4 sentrale temas onthul, naamlik, hanteringsmeganismes; response tot spesifieke komponente van die program; verydelende faktore en die impak van die program. 'n Integrasie van die kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe data steun die gevolgtrekking dat alhoewel daar 'n lae voorkoms was van volgehoue onthouding, die respondente wel 'n algemene verbetering in sielkundige welstand en postiewe leefstyle veranderinge na behandeling gerapporteer het.
Description
Assignment (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003.
Keywords
Alcoholics -- Rehabilitation -- South Africa, Alcoholism -- Psychological aspects, Dissertations -- Psychology, Theses -- Psychology
Citation