A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Counselling on Level of Awareness regarding the Ill Effects of Substance Abuse among Substance Abusers at Selected Setting

A Quasi experimental time series design was used to assess the effectiveness of counselling on level of awareness regarding ill effects of substance abuse among substance abusers at selected settings. Objectives: 1. To assess the pretest level of awareness regarding the ill effects of substance abuse among the substance abusers. 2. To assess the post test counseling level of awareness regarding ill effects of substance abuse among substance abusers. 3. To compare pre and post test counselling level of awareness regarding ill effects of substance abuse among substance abusers. 4. To associate the mean difference score on post test counselling level of awareness regarding the ill effects of substance abuse among the substance abusers with their selected demographic variables. The theoretical framework used in this study was based on Prochaska and Dielemente Stage of Change Theory. The sample size of the study was 300 substance abusers (alcoholic abusers), the instrument used for data collection were a structured interview to collect demographic variable. Assessment of level of awareness on ill effects of alcohol abuse was measured by Audit scale. Counselling was given to alcoholic abusers on individual basis through psycho education on ill effects of alcoholic abuse, Rethinking about drinking and tips to reduce alcohol intake. Assessment of Effectiveness of counselling on level of awareness regarding ill effects of substance abuse (alcohol) was measured by SCORATES 8A –Personal drinking Questionnaire. MAJOR FINDINGS: In pretest, level of awareness regarding ill effects of substance abuse by using AUDIT Scale, majority 113 (32.3%) were at risky or hazardous level, 81 (27%) were at high risk or harmful level, 71 (23.7%) were certainly dependence, 35 (11.7%) of them were at low risk level and pretest counselling level of awareness regarding ill effects of substance abuse by Socrates 8A scale, majority 179 (59.7%) had low Recognition, 112 (32.3%) of them had medium Ambivalence, 179 (59.7%) had low level of Taking steps towards their drinking behaviour. The post test 1 counselling level, 143 (47.67%) had medium Recognition, 127 (42.33%) had medium Ambivalence, 168 (56%) had medium level of Taking steps. In post test 2 counselling level, 166 (55.33%) had high Recognition, 139 (46.33%) had medium Ambivalence, 160 (53.33%) of them Taking steps towards reducing the ill effects of alcohol. The overall mean difference between pretest, post test 1 and post test 2 Recognition was F = 136.80, taking steps was F = 107.79 at p < 0.001 which was highly significant but at Ambivalence level F = 0.175 which was not significant at p < 0.001 level. It is evident that counselling-- motivational interviewing was effective in raising the awareness regarding ill effects of substance abuse (alcohol). The overall findings of association of the mean improvement post test counselling level of awareness regarding ill effects of substance abuse among substance abusers shows statistical significance with demographic variable such as education status at Recognition level and occupation at Taking steps