Why the festive season is hard for people battling addiction

For many battling addiction or struggling to control their drinking, this time of year can be overwhelming.

With the festive season getting underway, many of us will be looking forward to the end-of-year celebrations.

Parties, soirees, get-togethers with friends, family and colleagues.

It's a time to eat, drink and be merry. But for some, it'll be hard to stop.

When others are calling it a night, the party may just be getting started for those who struggle to say 'no' to 'just one more'.

The festive period is often a difficult time for those who struggle to control their drinking and for those living with the disease of addiction.

Media personality Sam Lehoko has spoken openly about her own experience of alcoholism and how she eventually ended up finding recovery. She has been clean and sober since 2021.

She says for most people, the drugs themselves are not the problem; they are rather just an unhealthy 'solution' to deal with an underlying issue.

"Sometimes it's the solution to trauma, or peer-pressure or one's upbringing."

Lehoko explains that for people struggling with addiction, "One is too many, a thousand is never enough."

So, what needs to happen for someone to realise that they need help?

Sam says that for her, it was hitting her own rock bottom.

"There's a term that they use called the 'gift of desperation', where you're just tired of constantly using and drinking, and it's eat, sleep, use, drink, repeat."

She says that it is important to remember that no one chooses to be an alcoholic or an addict.

"This is a disease, and we need to treat it like a disease. I have a naturally addictive personality, so nothing for me is in moderation."

Support for those who are struggling with addiction is available, for free, through 12-step organisations like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, which hold online and in-person meetings every day across South Africa.

To listen to Lehoko in conversation with 947's Thando Thabete, click below: