Mayanja
Mayanja

I Closed the Depot: Addiction and Recovery in Kampala

Follow Mayanja's journey as he embraces traditional healing to combat addiction in Kampala, Uganda.

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8:00•20 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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Mayanja's Quest for Sobriety: Embracing Traditional Healing in Kampala

“I have no problem with others drinking, but whenever I try to drink, it smells badly and I cannot swallow it.”

Ever wondered how people in different parts of the world tackle addiction? In this episode, we follow Mayanja, a man from Kampala, Uganda, who turns to an herbalist for emetic therapy in his fight against alcoholism. 'I Closed the Depot: Addiction and Recovery in Kampala' is a twelve-part series that dives into the heart of Uganda's capital, exploring various methods locals use to overcome alcohol-related problems.

The podcast draws from a four-year collaborative research study, shedding light on both traditional and modern recovery techniques. Despite 58 percent of Ugandans claiming to abstain from alcohol, those who do drink have an exceptionally high per capita consumption rate. This episode zeroes in on Mayanja's journey, highlighting the cultural nuances and challenges of addiction recovery in a place where Western concepts of alcoholism are still relatively new.

From spiritual practices to community support and economic opportunities, you'll hear how Ugandans navigate their paths to sobriety. Tune in to discover Mayanja's inspiring story and gain insight into the unique approaches to addiction recovery in Kampala.

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