03/05/2025
‘Beyond the High: Addiction Is Real’ ZNBC TV2 programme Season 3 Episode 4
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Family Liberty Highlights Crucial Family Role in Residential SUD Treatment
Family Liberty has reminded the nation of the crucial role family support plays in boosting residential treatment of Substance Use Disorders (SUDs), commonly known as addictions.
The reminder has been chorused by Family Liberty CEO and Programme Director Bishop Lizzy Muzambalika; Field Mobilization Officer Brian Chishimba and Social Scientist, Mbangweta Mufungulwa.
They were speaking during Season 3 Episode 4 of the Beyond The High: Addiction Is Real ZNBC TV2 live weekly programme which was aired on Thursday 1st May, 2025.
Programme host and ZNBC TV presenter, Patricia Ellis, introduced and gave the background to the topic of this week’s episode: ‘Residential Versus Non-Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment’.
She framed the topic’s context around the pre-recorded addiction-to-recovery personal lived experience story of Kristian Buchman.
Kristian is a reformed abuser of he**in, co***ne and codeine, and a former residential client at the Family Liberty’s Sober Home rehabilitation facility in Lusaka’s Meanwood Ndeke area.
In his testimony, Kristian discussed the vicious circle he got trapped in after his peer-influenced unrepentant behaviour forced his family to withdraw its recovery support to him - a move which sunk him deeper into addiction.
In his contribution to the topic, Mr Chishimba emphasised that it was a Family Liberty policy to involve families throughout the client’s residential stay and treatment process.
He commended Kristian for making amends that won him back his family trust which helped him clock 1 year and 7 months of post-rehabilitation sobriety and reintegrate positively in society.
“When you disturb family trust through relapse, they withdraw their support. In my case, my uncle gave up on me. But later when he saw my personal commitment and the involvement of the church, he supported me even more during my rehabilitation under Family Liberty,” said Mr Chishimba, an ex-drug and alcohol addict himself.
In her contribution to the topic, Bishop Lizzy Muzambalika, commended Kristian for having accepted to be admitted to, and ultimately benefit from, the Family Liberty-run Sober Home facility.
“He relapsed but was not discouraged from seeking help. We are happy that he kept on trying until he succeeded with us. He made a bold decision to change and now he is setting a very good example to others not to relent after relapse,” said Bishop Lizzy, a Social Behaviour Change Specialist.
In her contribution to the topic, Ms Mufungulwa also observed that as a matter of policy, Family Liberty engages families in structuring and managing treatment for specific clients’ unique needs.
“We incorporate families in the different common treatment tools we use we in order to ensure that we are doing the right thing.
“With family involvement, residential treatment is more rewarding over non-residential treatment because it is holistic. To us, in fact, family is everything when it comes to supporting both treatments,” said Ms Mufungulwa, a social scientist.
ENDS/…
PREPARED BY: ASTON KUSEKA
FAMILY LIBERTY
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
