Glenda
Glenda

I Closed the Depot: Addiction and Recovery in Kampala

Glenda's inspiring journey from alcohol addiction to recovery highlights the crucial role of family and community support.

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11:04•13 Mar 2022

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About this podcast

I Closed the Depot: Addiction and Recovery in Kampala

China Scherz, George Mpanga, and Sarah Namirembe

Dipo Naziggala (I Closed the Depot): Addiction and Recovery in Kampala is a podcast about addiction and recovery in Kampala Uganda. The stories told in this podcast were drawn from a four-year collaborative research study of the techniques Ugandans living in the suburbs of Kampala use to respond to alcohol related problems. While approximately 58 percent of Ugandans claim that they abstain from alcohol entirely, the WHO estimates that those who do drink have an exceptionally high estimated per capita consumption rate of 23.7 liters of pure alcohol per year. For comparison, the WHO 2014 report estimates the per capita consumption rate among American drinkers at 13.3 liters and Russian drinkers at 22.3 liters (World Health Organization 2014). Over the course of four years (2015-2019) we sought to learn about alcohol use and the ways that people attempt to resolve situations of problem drinking by spending time talking with people in bars and in the places where they sought help for their problems. Some of these people sought help in formal drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers and Alcoholics Anonymous support groups. Given the relatively recent introduction of Western ideas of alcoholism and addiction in Uganda, most people sought help for their problems outside of the formal medical system. They visited herbalists to buy herbal emetic therapies. They made offerings to the lubaale spirits in the shrines of basamize. They prayed for deliverance in Pentecostal and Charismatic churches. This podcast is a collection of their stories. The stories told here are true as remembered by the people who shared them with the research team. In accordance with the requirements of the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology, they have changed the names of the people involved as well as place names and other identifying details. We hope that in sharing these stories with you that you may come to learn about the wide range of techniques people can use to resolve situations of problem drinking. They also hope that the stories may give you hope of addressing the problems that you may encounter in your own life. Finally, they want to express their deep thanks to all of the people who shared their stories with them so that they could share them with you.

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Episodes: 13

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Glenda's Path to Sobriety: A Story of Family, Community, and Determination

“As I speak, I can take a mouth without drinking.”

Imagine living in a place where the temptation of alcohol is around every corner. For Glenda, this was her reality. Growing up in Kampala, Uganda, she faced numerous challenges that led her down a dark path of alcohol addiction. But this episode of 'I Closed the Depot: Addiction and Recovery in Kampala' isn't just about her struggles; it's about her incredible journey to recovery.

Welcomed by an aunt who gave her a chance to rethink her relationship with alcohol, Glenda found herself at a crossroads. Despite the supportive family environment, her early encounters with alcohol spiraled into addiction. Her story takes you through the highs and lows of this battle, from the humiliation of public arrest to the daily stress of unemployment. Yet, it's not all gloom. Glenda's tale is peppered with moments of hope that will leave you inspired.

With the unwavering support of her family and community, she found a job as a cashier and made a life-changing commitment to sobriety. This episode sheds light on the cultural context of addiction in Uganda, offering a unique perspective on how traditional and modern methods intertwine in the fight against alcoholism. If you're seeking a story that underscores the power of community and personal resolve, Glenda's journey is one you won't want to miss.

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