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

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:In the South African context, research on the impact of alcohol rehabilitation is particularlylimited. This study aimed at describing the impact of the alcohol rehabilitation programmeoffered at Neuro Clinic D, Stikland Hospital. Outcome was assessed at 12-15 months with theobjective of exploring the perceptions and experiences of the ex-patients to ascertain whetherthere has been an improvement in psychological well-being and positive lifestyle changes. Thestudy was motivated by a request made by the staff at Neuro Clinic D; as such an investigationhas never been conducted. Both quantitative and qualitative methodologies were used to gatherdata from 44 out of the 166 ex-patients admitted to Neuro Clinic D between January and June2002. The relationships between the rate of relapse and age, gender, marital status, employmentstatus, previous rehabilitation, health problems, police contact, aftercare attendance, participationin the 3- or 4- week programme and other medication/substance abuse were explored. While nostatistically significant relationships were found between any of the variables, some evidence ofinteraction emerged with regards to the relationships between relapse status and participation inthe 3- or 4-week programme, aftercare attendance, employment and marital status. Thequalitative analysis revealed four central themes, namely coping mechanisms; responses tospecific 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 therewas a low rate of consistent abstinence, the respondents reported an overall post-treatmentimprovement in psychological well-being and positive lifestyle changes.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University