It’s no secret that South Africa has a problem with alcohol abuse. According to data from the World Health Organization, 15 per cent of South Africans are classified as alcoholics and an additional 10 per cent are considered heavy drinkers. These numbers represent some of the highest rates in the world. If you’re wondering which areas in South Africa have the highest rates of alcohol abuse, here’s what you need to know.
Heavy drinking is more common than you think in South Africa
A study carried out by The Centre for Substance Abuse Research (CSAR) at Rhodes University found that 18.5% of adults report alcohol consumption over four drinks a day. The same survey revealed men were more likely to consume alcohol than women, while younger and older age groups were less likely to drink frequently.
The reason for high levels of alcohol abuse in South Africa
No doubt, it’s a mixture of stressful conditions and an abundance of alcohol outlets. When times are tough, we tend to self-medicate with alcohol and other drugs to help cope with our problems. And when these substances are easily accessible, it’s even easier for us to reach that escape route.
What is causing high levels of alcohol abuse among the youth in South Africa?
A recent study has shown that among young people ages 15 to 24, 64.4% of males and 57.8% of females have been reported to abuse alcohol. The study was conducted by Johann Bardill and his team from Stellenbosch University, who interviewed 649 youths from 30 high schools across Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Limpopo provinces. They cited several causes of alcohol abuse as poverty, high unemployment rate and products of broken homes.
