Evaluating Social Work Roles in Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Centres in Kwara State

Substance abuse rehabilitation requires a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach in which social work plays a central role alongside medical and psychological services. This study evaluates the professional roles performed by social workers in substance abuse rehabilitation centres in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria, focusing on government and private treatment facilities in Ilorin and Offa. A mixed-method design is employed, with 65 social workers, centre administrators, and clients in rehabilitation as respondents. Structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews are used, with descriptive statistics and thematic analysis applied in interpretation. The study finds that social workers in rehabilitation centres perform initial assessment, individual and group counselling, family engagement, aftercare planning, and community reintegration support. Despite the centrality of these functions, social workers in many facilities operate without formal clinical supervision and lack access to continuing professional development in addiction social work. Client relapse rates are identified as a persistent challenge linked to inadequate aftercare services and limited community support systems post-discharge. Recommendations include establishing mandatory supervision frameworks for social workers in rehabilitation settings, developing specialised addiction social work training within PGD and postgraduate programmes, and investing in community-based aftercare systems that provide sustained support following discharge from residential rehabilitation. Keywords: substance abuse rehabilitation, social work roles, Kwara State, addiction counselling, aftercare