Alcoholism in Botswana: A National Concern

[u/Careless-Locksmith80]

Alcohol is deeply woven into Botswana’s social fabric. From weddings, funerals, and ceremonies to weekend leisure, drinking has become almost inseparable from how we gather and celebrate. But behind the cultural acceptance lies a growing problem.

Alcoholism in Botswana is not just a personal struggle, it’s a national issue. It is closely tied to mental health challenges such as depression, broken families, domestic violence and even suicide. A large proportion of violent crimes and road accidents in the country are directly linked to alcohol abuse, with gender-based violence and reckless driving being the significant rising issues in the country.

Many Batswana spend weekends drinking only to report to work on Monday sluggish, distracted, and hungover. If the future of Botswana relies on the mental focus and resilience of its people, what does it mean when a significant portion of the workforce and youth navigate life under the cloud of drunkenness and hangovers?

How can a nation truly become productive when so many of its people are trapped in a cycle of alcohol dependence?

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[u/South-Ear9767]

Not just botswana its just humans

[u/hollyjazzy → u/South-Ear9767]

Sounds like Australia!

[u/Sunny_Medium_2727]

It's like this in other countries but here it's the worst ive seen. People drive around with drinks in their cooler box ready do drink even at kids birthday parties. The government doesnt seem to care. Why will they since the council is allowing bars to pop up in residential areas? Do they want young ones to go to bars early on ? Can parents control their kids? How do drunk parents parent their kids? 

What would work is to talk about it ! People don't realize how much they are wasting. Some of my friends tell me if i don't think I'm not enjoying life. And that life is too short to be sober. Seriously!

Let's see if govy cares. 

[u/MacheteDropOut]

I am 2 months alcohol free - best decision of my life. I could trace every bad thing that happened in my life back to alcohol. It was not worth it.

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[u/Spiritual-Rain-6864]

I prefer weed to alcohol but it seems to be frowned upon
Is there any hope for medical use?

[u/Basenabe2021]

I lived in Botswana in the 90s, already then Government (Khama) tried to curb consumption(early closing times for bars, taxes on alcohol). Unfortunately, it failed. As for productivity, it has been low even when drinking wasn't that common.