My journey of self-discovery and recovery began in 2016. After years of functional alcohol abuse I found myself losing weight as I could not focus on anything else but drinking alcohol every day. I remember looking at myself in the mirror and I looked absolutely terrible and I felt depressed.

I spent several months trying to moderate my drinking; I failed miserably. I completely panicked and felt defeated. I didn’t know I was powerless over booze. In fact, I still have a hard time believing I’m an alcoholic – even though I knew I was drinking heavily. I know that alcohol is addictive and I know that it is bad for my health, it still blows me away the blind eye I turned on my own ridiculous behaviour and it now brings tears to my eyes to realize how far I have come. Thank God!

When I heard about Community Systems Strengthening (CSS) programme coming to my area, I wanted to know more so I made sure to attend the workshops and meetings and this is where I began to look at life differently. I had no idea what I was up against when I decided I wanted to quit.

Knowing more about how alcohol abuse has affected our community opened my eyes even more. I have since learnt so much about addictive behaviour and how it stops one especially the youth from achieving their dreams. I would never have guessed the hold alcohol had on my life. I seriously thought it was just part of having fun and it can never be a serious issue. I started going to CSS meetings and absolutely loved them. They became my therapy. There were discussions on alcohol abuse and how as the youth we can refrain from alcohol and stop visiting drinking spots. CSS encourages the youth to keep themselves busy by being volunteers for NGOs and doing life skills activities. I also joined groups that were formed under the CSS and being in one of the groups kept me busy and I became the voice for alcohol abuse recovery.

I have also turned my life towards God, I have a relationship with God and thru my own beliefs I have been able to find the courage and strength to find sobriety. It takes time to recover from alcohol and it’s not easy, but it is incredibly worth it. Being sober changes you and it changes your life for the better.

I feel complete and happy to share the success I have found through CSS and I encourage every young person who is into drugs, alcohol even just cigarette smoking to think twice before engaging in those substances and focus more into getting sober. Living a sober life makes you think clearly.