|THIKA COUNSELING HOME | 070210841| www.psychosocial.co.ke| @Thikarehab|
INTRODUCTION
The WHO (2011) estimates that 2.5 million people die each year from more than 60
alcohol related illnesses and injuries.
Alcohol is the most commonly used psychoactive substance in the world, making it a
global health concern. It causes liver cirrhosis, epilepsy, poisonings, several types of cancer, hypertension, suicide and poorly controlled diabetes . Alcohol has
also been linked to deaths from road and traffic accidents, domestic violence, HIV infection and other disorders.
Unemployment has also been linked to alcohol misuse, although it is unclear which is the cause and which is the effect. Research of 2013 (Central Intelligence Agency) unemployment and poverty are extremely high and where cheap alcohol is readily available, alcohol abuse has been a problem.
The high rate of alcohol abuse in Kenya could be due to the ease of availability, the social
acceptability and the result of sales promotions through uncontrolled advertisements (Othienko, Kathuku, & Ndetei, 2000). Higher rates of health problems related to alcohol are linked to lower economic development and socioeconomic status (WHO, 2011).
Since the Kenyan government liberalized the economy of the country, alcohol and tobacco companies have marketed their products aggressively (Othienko et al., 2000).
The abuse of alcohol and other substances is reported to be widespread throughout Kenya
(Othienko et al., 2000).
A recent study on alcohol usage in the country states that 12 percent of children between the ages of 12 and 17 use alcohol or another substance in Kenya (NACADA, 2010).
The high prevalence of “second-generation alcohol” or "unrecorded alcohol," homemade
or illicitly made alcohols made outside of government control (Muturi, 2014; WHO, 2014) with high potency and made under unhygienic circumstances (NACADA 2010), contributes to the alcoholism problem. These are common at many social and cultural ceremonies (Papas et al.,2010) and have been shown to have a higher alcohol content than normal drinks (Papas et al.,2009; Willis, 2003).
These types of alcohol are more dangerous because lack of official governmental
regulation allows for any number of things to be used during the brewing process (NACADA, 2010). Njue, Voeten, & Remes (2011) found that these illegal brews were found to be available in local bars and drinking dens, especially in the lower socio-economic neighborhoods (Njue,Voeten, & Remes, 2011). The second-generation alcohols, or cheap alcohol with a high alcohol content (Muturi, 2014), were reported to have increased in central Kenya (NACADA, 2010).
The affordability and accessibility of second-generation alcohol contribute to its prevalence in the area (NACADA, 2010).
Alcohol is a worldwide leading factor for death for men ages 15 to 59 and globally, 6.2
percent of male deaths can be attributed to alcohol, in comparison to 1.1 percent for women (WHO, 2011). Researchers estimate that about 17 percent of men and about 8 percent of women will become alcohol dependent during their lifetimes (Hasin, Stinson, Ogburn, & Grant, 2007).
Men have higher rates of alcohol related deaths than women, and are almost twice as likely to be involved in an alcohol-related car accident than women (Chen & Ti, 2010, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2006).
The low rates of alcohol abuse for women in Kenya could be linked to the greater socio-cultural aspect of most African communities, where women are shunned if they smoke or drink (Othienko et al., 2000).
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA),
the Kenyan organization run by the government to address the alcohol and drug problem in the country, currently has a program that is supposed to combat alcoholism (NACADA, 2012).
|THIKA COUNSELING HOME | 070210841| www.psychosocial.co.ke| @Thikarehab|
ALCOHOLISM " BEHAVIORAL VIRUS"
Any activity, substance, object, or behavior that has become the major focus of a person's life to the exclusion of other activities, or that has begun to harm the individual or others physically, mentally, or socially is considered an addictive behavior. A person can become addicted, dependent, or compulsively obsessed with anything.
Some researchers imply that there are similarities between physical addiction to various chemicals, such as alcohol and heroin, and psychological dependence to activities such as compulsive gambling, sex, work, running, shopping, or eating disorders. It is thought that these behavior activities may produce beta-endorphins in the brain, which makes the person feel "high." Some experts suggest that if a person continues to engage in the activity to achieve this feeling of well-being and euphoria, he/she may get into an addictive cycle. In so doing, he/she becomes physically addicted to his/her own brain chemicals, thus leading to continuation of the behavior even though it may have negative health or social consequences. Others feel that these are just bad habits.Most physical addictions to substances such as alcohol, heroin, or barbiturates also have a psychological component. For example, an alcoholic who has not used alcohol for years may still crave a drink. Thus some researchers feel that we need to look at both physical and psychological dependencies upon a variety of substances, activities, and behaviors as an addictive process and as addictive behaviors. They suggest that all of these behaviors have a host of commonalities that make them more similar to than different from each other and that they should not be divided into separate diseases, categories, or problems.
Many Kenyans, do not believe that alcohol is a drug or a substance that can be abused. This site reveals that alcoholism and alcohol abuse is very prevalent in the Kenyan society. In fact, it is such a big problem that if not taken care of will lead the country to destruction.
Alcohol has become so integrated in the everyday life of the Kenyan that a lot of people do not see any problem with over consumption of it. You will find that in Kenya there are so many people who spend most of their days at bars drinking and less time on work and earning a living for themselves and their families. These habits not only affect the person abusing alcohol, but anyone closely involved with them.
The effects of alcohol abuse are numerous and include alcoholism, domestic violence, inability to keep a steady job, death as a result of drunken driving, people contracting diseases that could not only kill them but if contracted could kill others as well. At this point in time Kenya's HIV prevelence stands at about 7.8 percent, so engaging in unprotected sex could lead to contracting the disease.
Kenya' s current unemployment rate is also around 40%, and the abuse and acceptance of alcohol could not only keep that rate where it is but maybe even go up in the next few years. According to a national study, about 39 percent of people aged 16-65 have ever drank alcohol. Another 16% have used changaa.
Even the current laws regulating the times people can buy alcohol are ignored in a lot of places. Its shocking to see how this thing has taken over our society and how young the Kenyan people start to drink. In order for anything to change issues like this must be taken care of, or even the up coming generation will get sucked up into it and we will be forever broken.
Like that office worker, many Kenyans use every excuse in the book to indulge in alcohol – from a toast to good fortune, celebrating a wedding or the birth of a child or to cope with tragic news, such as death and divorce. In short, every occasion presents an opportunity to reach for the bottle.
Kenyans’ drink problem, has started to take root in universities, where it is fueled by peer pressure, easy accessibility of alcohol, opportunity and the freedom to do whatever one wishes with one’s free time.
|THIKA COUNSELING HOME | 070210841| www.psychosocial.co.ke| @Thikarehab|
Thika Counseling Home (TCH) is a small and yet spacious
serene residential facility located in Thika, Landless estate.
TCH is a level III addiction treatment centre whose
objectives is assist persons with substance use disorders overcome their
addictions through psychotherapy and 12 steps of Alcoholic & Narcoticanonymous program.
THC specializes in:
· Retreats forteenagers - (Who have difficulties relating with parents, & teacher.
TCH is a subsidiary of Psychosocial Healthcare Services, and works with several government institutions, Non governmental institutions and religious organizations.
|THIKA COUNSELING HOME | 070210841| www.psychosocial.co.ke| @Thikarehab|
