Mthentula Wellness Hub

17/06/2025

‎The Power of Decision in Substance Use Recovery
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‎As a Psychotherapist, I witness firsthand the profound impact of decision-making in the journey toward recovery from substance abuse. One recurring question I pose to clients struggling with alcohol or drug dependence is: What is your decision about substance use now?
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‎Why this question? Because in countless cases, individuals only seek help after developing a tolerance to the substances they use. At this stage, they often experience withdrawal symptoms—hallucinations, tremors, and other distressing effects—when they either haven’t used the substance or have consumed too much. This is a critical phase in addiction where the body requires increasingly larger doses to achieve the same high that smaller amounts once produced.
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‎Most clients come to therapy not necessarily because they want to quit, but because they want relief from these unpleasant symptoms. Of course, some genuinely desire to stop using, but many are simply looking for a way to escape the immediate discomfort.
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‎My role as a Psychotherapist is to support, not to impose. I can guide, teach, and encourage—but real change only occurs when the individual makes a firm, internal decision to stop. Without a solid commitment, even after medical treatment relieves the symptoms, many clients quickly relapse.
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‎When the decision to stop is strong and sincere, my task shifts to reinforcing that choice. I focus on equipping clients with practical tools—how to cope with cravings, resist peer pressure, and understand the health risks of continued substance use. With this knowledge, they’re better prepared to make informed and lasting decisions.
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‎For those deeply entrenched in substance use, their decision can influence critical life outcomes: whether they complete their education, secure or maintain employment, build healthy relationships, or live with dignity and purpose.
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‎However, even with the best intentions and a strong resolve, life doesn’t pause its challenges. Stressful situations can trigger old patterns and temptations. I remind my clients: the beer will still taste the same; the drug will still offer that familiar escape. But with awareness and the coping strategies gained in therapy, they are better positioned to resist and stay the course toward sobriety.
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‎Ultimately, the journey begins—and continues—with one powerful truth: recovery hinges on the strength of their decision.
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12/06/2025

Depression no longer knows an age limit. Young people are increasingly hooked on alcohol to the point that they develop serious medical conditions like substance-induced psychosis, liver damage, and kidney failure—yet they still find it hard to stop drinking.

As a psychotherapist, I witness firsthand, on a daily basis, the devastating impact of substance use.

But this doesn't just happen—it starts somewhere. Often, it traces as far back as childhood. Everyone can probably recall at least one classmate who never seemed to care about school. The same pattern appears in our communities, where delinquency is prevalent across all age groups. Many people spend their first coin on alcohol. Personally, I've stopped giving out change to strangers for fear they might use it to buy beer—this has happened more times than I can count.

You may have heard of the term midlife crisis—a phase usually occurring between the ages of 40 and 60, often marked by regret, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health struggles. This often stems from unresolved regrets tied to poor decisions made earlier in life.

There's also a concept called psychache—a deep psychological pain where one is stuck in a suicidal state. When someone reaches this level of mental distress, even psychotherapy has limited success in reversing it. Psychache often manifests through substance abuse, which is why some people turn to drugs or alcohol in the first place.

What’s more concerning is the emergence of a younger version of the midlife crisis—known as the quarter-life crisis—where adolescents and young adults display similar patterns of distress, including anxiety, hopelessness, and substance use.

The only way to curb these troubling trends is to intervene at every level of society:

Family: Parents must guide children from a young age, instilling responsibility and emotional resilience.

Community: We need to promote positive activities such as sports and mentorship programs to engage youth meaningfully.

Church: Faith-based organizations play a role in teaching values and principles that discourage irresponsible behavior.

National level: Governments must implement and enforce policies that address substance abuse. This includes regulating drug and alcohol availability and limiting the setup of bars and outlets in vulnerable communities.

The laws exist—but enforcement is weak. Without active implementation, the cycle will continue.

18/02/2025

Have you noticed how easily alcohol is now accessible to children at neighborhood grocery shops?

Drug and alcohol abuse is a growing vice—and if policymakers continue to stay silent, I fear for the Zambia we’ll inherit once the current generation of elders is gone.

Futures are being crippled. Lives are being wasted.
It’s time these conversations become louder, more frequent, and more urgent. The future depends on it.
In the words of Chairman Pompi

16/02/2025

Need a good laugh, play with a kid. It can be fun, especially for your mental health.

23/01/2025

For everything mental health, follow Mthentula Mental Health Advocates

This version of Facebook uses less data and works in all network conditions.

22/01/2025

Job Loss, The Bright Side

Losing a job can be deeply unsettling—especially for someone who has never known financial struggle. Imagine living with the certainty of a paycheck at the end of every month, the comfort of never worrying about unpaid bills, and the respect that often comes with employment. Then suddenly, it’s all gone.

Job loss can be a catalyst for mental breakdown. Anxiety, uncertainty, hopelessness, and fear about where the next meal will come from quickly creep in. It takes immense mental strength to navigate such a storm.

One of the first steps to staying afloat is recognizing that you no longer have the means to maintain the lifestyle of abundance you once knew. Accepting this reality is key. In times like these, the mind—being the control center—must be protected. That means taking intentional steps to counter worry, anxiety, stress, and the flood of negative thoughts that threaten to consume you.

It’s about reassuring yourself that things will get better—not because you’re certain, but because no situation lasts forever.
It’s about refusing to host a pity party and continuing to look for opportunities, because as long as you keep searching, it’s only a matter of time before something turns up.
It’s about choosing to get out of bed every morning, even when there’s “nothing to do,” because lying in bed only feeds depression.
It’s about seeing this challenge as a chance to awaken the entrepreneur in you—because entrepreneurs aren't always born; sometimes, they're made by adversity.

When you take charge of your mindset, you reduce the risk of turning to destructive coping mechanisms like substance abuse, crime, or other harmful behaviors. These may seem like temporary solutions but ultimately deepen the spiral of mental distress.

Joblessness can be both a trigger and a sustaining factor for poor mental health. It keeps you trapped when survival begins to depend on unhealthy behaviors. But it can also be the push you need to discover your potential—especially the entrepreneur you never knew you could be.

You’ll never know what you’re capable of until you experience adversity. Sometimes, it takes losing your job to find your true calling.

13/01/2025

Quality Mental Health is to us what Taxes are to Zambia Revenue Authority, Meat is to Zambeef Products Plc. Coffee is to Nestlé. Petrol is to TotalEnergies.

is what we are it's . It's our .

Mthentula Mental Health Advocates we are

12/01/2025

Church...yes is one place that can help with your mental health. The Bible le has a lot of tips on good mental health.
Paul in his letter to Timothy told Timothy that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of and . The Bible further advises us not to be about anything but with prayer and supplication we are to present our requests to God.
God calls us to approach for help with our economic hardships, sickness.... anything

11/01/2025

Deciding to have good mental health takes denying any negative energy even when it's real. It's choosing hope when you are mourning, choosing to not let being late ruin the meeting, choosing the bright side of job loss- a chance for something better. Until then, even something as little as the conductor not giving you your K1 change can ruin the rest of your day.

25/12/2024

Cooking
Watch the space 💯