School-Based Rehabilitation Counselling Interventions and Substance Abuse Cessation among Senior Secondary School Students in Sabon Gari, Kaduna State

This study investigated the relationship between school-based rehabilitation counselling interventions and substance abuse cessation among senior secondary school students in Sabon Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna State. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised all senior secondary school students within the study area who had participated in school-guided therapeutic or guidance interventions. A sample of 160 students was drawn across eight public secondary schools using a purposive sampling method to capture individuals with verified exposure to counseling services. Data collection was executed using a structured four-point Likert-scale instrument titled School Rehabilitation and Substance Cessation Questionnaire (SRSCQ). The instrument was validated by education and psychometric specialists, yielding a Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient of 0.83. Three research objectives, questions, and null hypotheses guided the study. Data analysis was carried out using mean and standard deviation for descriptive indicators, while Pearson Product-Moment Correlation (PPMC) was applied to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that while cognitive behavioral strategies and group therapy interventions are theoretically appreciated, their systematic implementation within public secondary schools remains fragmented due to structural and resource limitations. However, where school-based rehabilitation counseling interventions were consistently deployed, a significant positive correlation was established with substance abuse cessation and relapse prevention. The statistical tests led to the rejection of all three null hypotheses. It is recommended that school management boards establish dedicated, confidential rehabilitation clinics within secondary schools and ensure that professional counselors receive regular training in modern clinical substance abuse management.