Patterns of Substance Use Disorders among Patients in Selected Rehabilitation Centers in Nairobi County, Kenya.

Henrietta Amen Usunobun, Ph.D. Candidate in Clinical Psychology; Naomi James, Ph.D; & Martha Kiarie, Ph.D., Daystar University.

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a significant public health concern in Kenya, mirroring global trends of escalating addiction rates that have strained health systems and communities. The purpose of the study was to assess the patterns of substance use disorders among patients in selected rehabilitation centers in Nairobi County, Kenya. This study employed a quantitative research method, utilizing a cross-sectional research design, targeting six rehabilitation centers. The target population consisted of male participants aged 18–59 years, from which a sample size of 98 participants was drawn. Purposive sampling was used to select the study sites, while convenience sampling was used to select participants. Data was collected using the Socio-Demographic Questionnaire and Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Data were analysed using SPSS (version 25), applying descriptive statistics to reveal patterns of substance use. The study found that the most commonly used substances were: alcoholic beverages (95.9%), tobacco (73.5%), and cannabis (62.2%) based on lifetime use reports. Further analysis showed variation in substance use by age group, with adults aged 18–29 having the highest lifetime use rates across most substances, with over 90% reporting tobacco and alcohol use, more than 75% using cannabis, and notable use of cocaine, amphetamines, and inhalants. Opioid use was also more common in this group compared to older adults. Hence, this study recommends collaboration among the government, healthcare providers, psychologists, and communities to implement evidence-based policies, ensure accessible treatment, raise public awareness, and support recovery from substance use. The results contribute to the growing body of psychological research on substance use in African contexts and underscore the role of psychologists in designing tailored interventions for prevention, treatment, and recovery support.

Keywords: Substance Use Patterns, Substance Use Disorders (SUDs), Addiction, Rehabilitation Centers, Nairobi County, Kenya