Destigmatising alcohol treatment programmes

VITALIO ANGULAWINDHOEKAddiction to alcohol is a disease of the mind. The literature is plenty and well-documented on the impact alcohol has on a person’s physical, mental, emotional and material well-being.But where are we as a nation getting it wrong in the treatment of this disease that has torn families asunder, relegated former national leaders to mere paupers and led to moral depravation in the broader society?Over-reliance on traditional methods of treatment, seeking advice from the wrong people, shame, stigma and ignorance are all cited as factors that lead people not to get professional help from recognised medical practitioners.In Namibia, drinking is normalised as a social pastime. However, in any given population, there are those who are not able to consume alcohol safely, who may not be able to practice controlled drinking, and who may be susceptible to become alcoholics!The stigma thereof is that they are shunned by society as being morally defective and because of that stigma, acceptance and willingness to seek treatment becomes difficult.What addiction looks likeAn addiction to alcohol manifests itself in the behaviour of an individual and is best explained as someone who cannot control their drinking. When they start, they cannot stop voluntarily.Alcoholics behave anti-socially while under the influence and do things they would not have done had they not been under the influence.Fights and accidents, neglected marital and family duties and being absent from work often follow.Alcohol becomes their number one priority.These are some of the significant indicators that someone has a problem with alcohol and that if the use of alcohol is removed from that person’s life, the individual can resume living a normal and fulfilling existence. But it is not always so!Many people only seek help when they have hit rock bottom, meaning that alcohol has affected other areas of their lives like their professional reputation and physical well-being.HopeImagine having to take the thing that makes you sick to feel better. That is exactly what alcohol does.But there is hope. Several treatment and rehabilitation programmes are available by contacting a health professional.It should, however, be noted that amongst health professionals, despite their qualifications, there is ignorance towards the disease of alcoholism.There is also a tendency to misdiagnose the disease of alcoholism by offering different names such as bipolar, mood disorder, depression, etc.Of course, these medical disorders do exist, but how often do medical doctors (psychiatrists and psychologists included) diagnose, prescribe medicines and set patients up for failure without getting the patient sober first, observing them when they are not using alcohol and then only proceeding to treat the patient accordingly? Many doctors do not give their patients the required attention to accurately diagnose them before providing treatment. There is a rush to make as much money as possible in the shortest possible time. It is wrong, unethical and goes against the spirit of the Hippocratic Oath doctors swear to uphold.A new destinyRehabilitation and alcohol treatment programmes are well coordinated and address alcoholism from a medical perspective with emphasis on person’s physical, spiritual, psychological and emotional needs.Most patients seeking treatment for alcoholism are down and out, but almost all have the ability to make a full recovery if only they remain sober for the rest of their lives.There is only so much a treatment centre can do for an individual, then it is up to the individual to choose a new purpose and a new destiny in life, or continue on the path of destruction that usually ends in “jails, institutions or death”, according to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) literature.12 stepsAA is a fellowship programme that uses 12 steps and traditions for the recovery of those addicted to alcohol.Destigmatising alcohol treatment programmes is a step in the right direction which requires understanding in the broader society. This includes, but is not limited to, national leaders, health professionals, families and the church.All members of the Namibian society have a role to play in highlighting the fact that alcohol is a disease that can be treated and that the alcoholic needs to be rehabilitated through appropriate channels with support from family, peers and professional counsellors.Alcoholics are individuals who suffer from the disease of alcoholism. They need to be treated with love, understanding, dignity and respect in order for them to make a full recovery. They are not entirely at fault, although they have to take full responsibility and accountability for their own actions. *Vitalio Angula is a socio-political commentator and independent columnist. The views shared are inspired by Alcoholics Anonymous literature. Readers are encouraged to add and subtract from the content as they deem necessary. The objective is to open up discourse on this sensitive matter.

Destigmatising alcohol treatment programmes

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Namibian Sun 2025-11-04

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Destigmatising alcohol treatment programmes

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Namibian Sun 2025-11-04

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