Substance abuse treatment in Nigeria: applying a biopsychosocial-spiritual framework at MACCARCA

TL;DR

A new treatment framework combining biological, psychological, social, and spiritual care is shown to help with substance abuse in Nigeria.

Contribution

The paper introduces a biopsychosocial-spiritual model applied in Nigeria's addiction treatment context.

Findings

A case showed improvements in biological, psychological, social, and spiritual domains after BPSS treatment.

BPSS care was culturally congruent and more effective than traditional/religious interventions in this case.

The approach requires further systematic evaluation and policy integration for broader impact.

Abstract

Substance use disorders are a growing public-health problem in Nigeria where many existing treatments are fragmented and heavily influenced by spiritual/traditional approaches. The biopsychosocial-spiritual (BPSS) model offers an integrative framework that explicitly incorporates spiritual care alongside biological, psychological, and social interventions.

We present a practice-based descriptive report supported by a single illustrative case from the Mater Christi Counselling and Rehabilitation Centre (MACCARCA), Amawbia, Nigeria. Clinical screening and assessment tools employed at MACCARCA (e.g., ASI, ASSIST, AUDIT/DAST, selected projective/personality instruments, and relevant laboratory testing) guided individualized BPSS treatment plans; outcomes are reported descriptively.

The case (“Romanus”) demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements across biological (stabilization, improved nutrition), psychological (reduced cravings, improved insight), social (reengagement with family, group support), and spiritual (renewed meaning and participation in spiritual practices) domains following three months of BPSS-based care. Improvements were documented in clinical notes and structured assessments and supported by patient self-report and family feedback.

The BPSS framework enabled coordinated, culturally congruent care that addressed multiple drivers of addiction and contrasted with earlier ineffective traditional/religious interventions. Limitations include the single-case design and restricted generalizability; the report is presented as a practice-based step toward larger empirical evaluation.

The BPSS approach shows promise as a culturally adaptable, holistic model for addiction care in Nigeria. The manuscript calls for systematic outcome studies and policy actions to integrate BPSS components into broader services.

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