Relationship Between Alcoholics Anonymous 12 Steps Facilitation and Development of Competencies in Rehabilitation Facilities in Central and Nairobi Regions, Kenya

Abstract

Helping an alcoholic overcome addiction calls for an appropriately planned and skillfully managed processes that offer personal support and guidance, necessitating effective approaches in the treatment of alcohol rehabilitation. Despite the growth of rehabilitation facilities in the recent past, statistics indicate that approximately 90% of alcoholics are likely to experience at least one relapse over a four-year period after treatment. This is an indication that recovering alcoholics may have not gained sufficient competencies while in rehabilitation to avoid the relapse. An understanding of how the AA 12 steps facilitation influence the development of competencies among recovering alcoholics is therefore key to their reintegration into society. The study adopted behavioural, Adlerian and person centred theories for its theoretical framework. The study employed the ex-post-facto correlational research design with an accessible population of 202 recovering alcoholics and 81 addiction counsellors in 17 rehabilitation facilities in Central and Nairobi regions employing the 12 step facilitation approach. Census sampling method was used for the addiction counsellors with the entire population participating in the study. A sample size of 134 respondents calculated using Yamane simplified formula was used for the recovering alcoholics. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire for the recovering alcoholics and addiction counsellors. The instruments were validated and adjustments done after the pilot study, while reliability was determined using the Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient at 0.898. The data was analysed using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Pearson correlations were used to test the relationship between the dependent variable (recovering alcoholics competencies) and the independent variable (AA 12 steps facilitation). The 12 steps facilitation was established to be statistically significant at p=0.000<0.05 with a moderate positive association (r=0.491). The study recommends strengthening of key indicators under the AA 12 steps facilitation model established to positively contribute towards the development of competencies. These comprised of the aspects of self-acceptance of the person as an alcoholic, acknowledgement and the commitment of the alcoholic to continue seeking help that would promote high levels of rehabilitation success among alcoholics.