Gregory
Gregory

I Closed the Depot: Addiction and Recovery in Kampala

Gregory's journey from addiction to recovery in Kampala, guided by faith, family, and community support.

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11:58•15 May 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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Gregory's Path: Faith, Family, and Recovery in Kampala

“Recovery is all about connections. I now volunteer as a counsellor in one of the growing rehabs in Kampala. Helping people to recover from addiction is a passion for me.”

Gregory's story is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit. In the bustling suburbs of Kampala, Uganda, where alcohol-related issues are widespread, Gregory's journey to sobriety stands out. He battled addiction head-on, turning to inpatient rehabilitation programs, Alcoholics Anonymous, and his Pentecostal church for support. This episode of 'I Closed the Depot: Addiction and Recovery in Kampala' offers a heartfelt look at how Gregory's faith and family played crucial roles in his recovery process.

His story is not just about overcoming addiction but also about the importance of community and volunteering. Gregory now helps others on their own paths to recovery, proving that personal struggles can transform into sources of strength and support for others. Whether you're facing similar challenges or know someone who is, Gregory's journey provides hope and inspiration, highlighting traditional and modern approaches to tackling addiction in Uganda.

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