Effect of Multidimensional Family Therapy (Mdft) on Drug Abusers: A Case of Psychiatric Patients of Specialist Hospital Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study examined Multidimensional family therapy (MDFT) on outpatient drug abusers in the psychiatric ward of Specialist hospital Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria. The design involved pre-test and post-test quasi-experimental. The study used 18 drug abusers discharged by the hospital but attended schedule follow-up to avoid relapse. All the outpatients were used for the study sample. A four-point scale questionnaire was used in the study. The pre-test result (M= 1.88, SD= 0.67) revealed that drug abusers had no idea on the effect of Multidimensional family therapy (MDFT) before intercession. After intervention, it was however, discovered that the Multidimensional family therapy (MDFT) has huge significant effect (M= 3.64, SD= 0.51) on out-patients drug abusers in the psychiatric ward of specialist hospital, Jalingo, Taraba State with (t = -18.431, df = 34, p = 0.000). Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that Counsellors and families adopt Multidimensional family therapy (MDFT) contingents to prevail on any family member, friends or relations found to abuse drugs and other related substances. This achievement should be replicated in learning institutions, place of worship, communities and other social organisations where most of these youths tend to visit to have fun. The researchers also recommended that aside the chemical drug therapy to stabilize drug abusers, Government and Non-Governmental Organisations should as a matter of urgency consider setting up Counselling Centres and employ qualified Counsellors across the state to support, encourage rehabilitation and positive behaviour among youths through psychosocial approach