A man identified as Muguna Muguna has narrated what you would call a free life was snatched from him by alcohol.
He openly said he is an alcoholic, something that has gravely affected his life. It all started 11 years ago, after moving from relative-to-relative house. Coming from a dysfunctional family, the movements were inevitable.
“I couldn’t take it anymore. I moved out of my aunt’s house and began living in a small shanty house in Soweto, Kayole, next to Jacaranda Grounds. Life was affordable back then, I began working in construction sites on Monday through Wednesday, on Thursday and Friday I’d go to school (Bahati Community School in Kayole),” Muguna wrote.
Photo: Jenn Durfey
The man revealed that the company of friends he had was the source of his alcoholism, something that began like a joke. He added that his current alcoholism struggle began with sharing a ‘quarter’ of an alcohol with his friends. The quarter was then retailing at 120 bob.
“It went from sharing ‘quarter’ to having muguka nights on Fridays and Saturdays. At first I would drink an eighth, then a full quarter. Within one years, I used to do a full mzinga (750ml) in a sitting,” Munguna said.
Photo: Donuttinz
He said that for 10 years, he has drunk more alcohol than most people will ever do in a lifetime. He is now trying to recover from the addiction and is determined to overcome it.
“When what began as a way of escaping from the pain of life, has proved to be an imprinted character in me. I would rather drink than take care of myself. The most painful memory I’ve with the bottle is on this day I made KES 24k on the side and drunk it all. I have since moved myself from the shanty neighborhood, I’ve a great job, I am almost done with my degree and on the road to recovery,” Muguna revealed.
“One day, when I’ve fully recovered, I will tell you all about the things I’ve done to afford that drink. For any alcoholic out here, it’s possible to reverse it. I am not healed yet, by sharing my story, I can motivate myself and you too. As I sign out, read Ecclesiastes 19:1-3. Thank you,” he concluded.
From his experiences, Muguna is advocating for alcohol free lives. He is positive that he will slowly transform into his original self where alcohol addiction won’t be part of his life.
“Don’t pick up that bottle. You have the courage to say no. Say NO right now,” he wrote.