Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Counselling Strategies for Preventing and Addressing Substance Abuse Among Tertiary Institution Students in South-East Nigeria

Ifeoma, Keziah Ekma Ph.D, Azor Loveth C., Ronke Olayemi Akintola and Doka II, Obadiah Abimiku

Abstract

Substance abuse among tertiary institution students remains a significant educational, psychological, social and public health concern in Nigeria. This conceptual article examines counselling strategies for preventing and addressing substance abuse among tertiary institution students in South-East Nigeria. The article draws on relevant literature on substance abuse, its associated factors and consequences, and the role of guidance and counselling in prevention and intervention. The analysis identifies peer pressure, curiosity, stress, availability of substances, and social and environmental influences as important considerations in counselling intervention. It proposes psychoeducation, peer counselling, stress-management counselling, life-skills training, individual and group counselling, motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioural counselling, early identification, referral and follow-up support as key strategies. The article is anchored on Social Learning Theory and Cognitive-Behavioural Theory. It concludes that effective counselling should be preventive, developmental, therapeutic, student-centred and continuous, with tertiary institutions strengthening counselling services to reduce substance abuse and promote students’ academic and psychosocial well-being.

Keywords

counselling strategiessubstance abusetertiary institution studentspreventioninterventionSouth-East Nigeria

References

Akinpelu, K. A., Ogedengbe, T. J., Fagbenle, A. O., & Iyun, M. O. (2024). Prevalence and pattern of drug abuse among public tertiary institutions students in Osun State. FUOYE Journal of Criminology and Security Studies, 3(1), 38–41. Apare, J., & Enakpoya, E. E. (2024). Substance use, peer social comparison, academic stress and psychological well-being of students in tertiary institution in Delta South Senatorial District. Asian Research Journal of Arts & Social Sciences, 22(3), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.9734/arjass/2024/v22i3518 Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Prentice-Hall. Ibobor, M., Owoyemi, J. O., Gomment, T. I., & Yunusa, E. (2024). Socio-psychological effects of drug abuse among students of tertiary institutions in Kogi State, Nigeria. GPH- International Journal of Applied Science, 7(5), 10–41. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12684773 Okoro, T. E., & Chikezie, U. E. (2024). Prevalence of alcohol and other psychoactive substance abuse and association with depression among medical students in Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State. Pan African Medical Journal, 47, 90. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2024.47.90.35997 Onuoha, K. M., Okoro, J. O., Ozioko, N., Attah, B. I., & Chukwuone, C. A. (2024). Substance abuse issues among university undergraduates in Enugu State. Journal of Home Economics Research, 30(1). Udechukwu, J. A., Okeke, K. C., & Okoli, H. O. (2024). Prevalence of drug abuse among adolescent students and efficacy of counseling support techniques in secondary schools for national development. NAU Journal of Technology & Vocational Education, 9(1). Uwadia, J. C., Fadipe, R. A., Kayode, O. C., & Oluwwole, P. B. (2024). The role of guidance counsellors in curbing the menace of drug abuse among secondary school students in Nigeria. ESUT Journal of Social Sciences, 9(1).