Family Centered Counseling for Substance Use Disorder in a Nigerian Residential Setting: A Case Report

Abstract

Evidence for family centred substance use disorder interventions in Nigerian residential settings is almost entirely absent. This structured case report describes the clinical course of one adult male who received family centred counselling during a 12‑week residential programme, with independent blind assessment and urine toxicology at admission, discharge, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post‑discharge.

Case presentation: A 32‑year‑old Nigerian male with cannabis and heroin dependence completed residential treatment with weekly family counselling in a private, non‑governmental residential facility in Oyo State. Outcomes used the Addiction Severity Index, Readiness to Change Questionnaire, Family Assessment Device, Beck Depression Inventory II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and urine drug screens.

Results: Scores improved from baseline to discharge (ASI: 0.72→0.34; BDI‑II: 26→9; BAI: 24→8; FAD: 2.9→1.8; RCQ: 8→18). Urine toxicology was positive for both substances at baseline and negative at discharge. Improvements were maintained at 1, 3, and 6 months with no lapse and negative toxicology. At 12 months, a heroin lapse occurred (1‑2 days per month, 4‑6 days total, intravenous use; no cannabis; ASI: 0.45; BDI‑II: 14; BAI: 12; FAD: 2.1; RCQ: 14) with urine confirmation.

Conclusions: The results provide preliminary evidence of sustained improvement through 6 months, with a single lapse at 12 months. Independent blind assessment and biological verification strengthen confidence in the data. Controlled studies are needed.