Exploring the Impacts of Helperseekers’ Knowledge, Belief, and Attitude on the Choice of Treatment for Substance Use Disorder

BACKGROUND:

Recently, Abia State—like many other states in Nigeria—has experienced a growing number of deaths related to substance use, leading to increased cases of substance use disorders and comorbidities. Family members and relatives often seek treatment for affected individuals, some of whom may lack insight into their condition. However, their level of knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes toward substance use can significantly influence their treatment choices when a family member is affected.

AIM:

This study investigated people’s knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes regarding substance use and how these factors affect their treatment decisions.

METHOD:

A purposive sampling technique was used to recruit 1,200 participants from a crosssectional survey across three Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Abia State. The 35-item Knowledge, Beliefs, and Attitude Toward Treatment Questionnaire (KBATQ) was used to measure the study variables. Three hypotheses were formulated, and data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. RESULTS: Descriptive results revealed that a high proportion of participants (up to 53.7%) had poor knowledge of drug use disorders, highlighting the need for medical and therapeutic intervention. Multiple regression analyses indicated that good knowledge, positive beliefs, and favorable attitudes toward drug use as a disorder significantly predicted the use of evidencebased treatment options among relatives of drug users (F(3,1199) = 177.23, p < 0.05). The study also revealed limited availability of rehabilitation centers in the state.

CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS:

Based on these findings, we recommend that the Abia State government urgently intensify drug use sensitization programs and establish more rehabilitation centers. Professionals such as psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and those trained in the Universal Treatment Curriculum (UTC) should be employed to provide evidence-based care. Furthermore, relevant policies and interventions should address underlying sociocultural issues—including stigma, lack of awareness, and cultural acceptance of substance use—to enhance the effectiveness of interventions. Healthcare professionals, policymakers, and researchers have a crucial role to play in implementing these recommendations and improving substance use outcomes in Abia State.