Relationship between Locus of Control and Abstinence among Persons Recovering from Alcohol and Drugs Addiction in Kirinyaga County, Kenya

Abstract

: The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that locus of control has two different dimensions with twofold roles associated with abstinence among persons recovering from alcohol and drug addictions .The ultimate goal of drugs and alcohol abuse rehabilitation is to help persons suffering from addiction achieve a lasting abstinence. Drugs and alcohol abuse impairs an individual’s ability to live a quality life and achieve personal development. Previous studies propose that persons with internal locus of control adhere to treatment programs and achieve abstinence. They are also capable of adjusting their lives to sustain abstinence and have low relapse rates. Using an Ex-Post Facto Correlation Research Design, multistage sampling technique was employed to obtain 141 respondents. Recovering Addicts Health Locus of Control Scale, Recovering Addicts Abstinence Indicator Scale and a focus group discussion guide were used to collect data. Data collected was descriptively analyzed using frequencies, percentages and mean. Pearson product moment correlation was computed to establish the relationship. ANOVA was used to establish differences between respondents with high internal locus of control and those with high levels of external locus of control.The findings indicate that there was a statistically significant negative relationship between external locus of control and abstinence r (141) = -.231, p<0.05. There was a statistically significant negative relationship between low level of internal locus of control and abstinence, r (74) =.- 255, p<0.05. Period of abstinence increased with increasing internal locus of control (M = 2.26, SD = 1.345; M = 2.43, SD = 1.67).while those with low levels of internal locus of control took more alcohol after rehabilitation (1.93, 1 .04) than those with moderate internal locus of control (1.80, .44). It was concluded that internal and external locus of control is two different dimensions with dualistic control. The two dimensions of locus of control can be utilized to complement each other