By Marozhe Eunice
Young people struggling with drug and substance use deserve hope, support and
access to treatment. A decision to change can be the beginning of a healthier
future.
HARARE, Zimbabwe. Across Zimbabwe, drug and substance abuse has become
an important public health concern, particularly for young people whose health,
education, relationships and future opportunities may be affected by harmful
substance use. The challenge calls for more than punishment and criticism. It
requires understanding, prevention, encouragement and access to effective support.
For a young person who has become dependent on substances such as alcohol or
other drugs, the thought of quitting may seem frightening. Peer pressure, stress,
unemployment, family problems and fear of judgement can make change difficult.
Yet seeking help and taking steps towards recovery can open the way to a healthier
life.
The message to Zimbabwean youth is simple: you are not defined by your
substance use, and asking for help is a sign of strength.
UNDERSTANDING THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND CHANGE
Health Psychology helps explain how thoughts, attitudes, social influences and
intentions affect health-related behaviour. One theory that can help us understand
substance use and recovery is the Theory of Reasoned Action, developed by
Martin Fishbein and Icek Ajzen.
The theory proposes that a person’s intention to perform a behaviour is influenced
by two main factors: their attitude towards that behaviour and their perception of
what important people around them expect.
These concepts can help explain how young people develop the intention to stop
using harmful substances.
First, attitudes matter. A young person who begins to recognise the effects of
substance use on their health, finances, education and family relationships may
develop a more positive attitude towards quitting. Recognising the benefits of
recovery can strengthen the desire to change.
Second, social influence matters. Young people may continue using substances
because they fear rejection by friends or believe substance use is necessary to fit in.
However, when friends, parents, teachers and community leaders support healthy
choices, they can help create an environment in which recovery is encouraged
rather than ridiculed.
Third, intention matters. When a young person decides to seek help, reduce
exposure to situations that encourage substance use and work towards recovery,
that intention can provide a starting point for change.
However, intention alone does not guarantee success. Substance dependence can
involve cravings, withdrawal symptoms and psychological difficulties that require
professional treatment and continued support.
CHANGING THE MESSAGE AROUND SUBSTANCE USE
Young people struggling with substance use are sometimes labelled as
irresponsible, troublesome or unwilling to change. Such labels can increase shame
and discourage people from seeking assistance.
Instead of asking why a young person cannot simply stop, families and
communities should seek to understand the factors contributing to their substance
use.
Some young people may use substances to cope with stress, loneliness, trauma or
emotional difficulties. Others may be influenced by friends or environments where
substance use is normalised. These circumstances differ, and no single explanation
applies to every individual.
Understanding these factors does not mean ignoring the harm caused by substance
use. It means responding in ways that encourage responsibility, treatment and
lasting behavioural change.
THE ROLE OF FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND COMMUNITIES
The Theory of Reasoned Action highlights the importance of subjective norms,
which refer to a person’s perception of the expectations of people who matter to
them.
In Zimbabwe, families, churches, schools, universities and community
organisations can help shape attitudes towards substance use and recovery.
Parents can create opportunities for honest conversations rather than relying only
on threats or punishment. Friends can support someone who wants to stop using
substances instead of encouraging a return to harmful habits. Educational
institutions can provide counselling, substance-use education and referrals to
appropriate services.
Community leaders and the media can also challenge the belief that seeking
treatment is shameful. Public messages should encourage young people to seek
help early and reassure them that recovery deserves support.
TURNING THE DECISION TO QUIT INTO ACTION
A decision to change is an important beginning, but recovery often requires a
practical plan.
Young people can start by speaking to a trusted healthcare professional or
counsellor, identifying situations that trigger substance use, and building
relationships with people who support their recovery. Where appropriate,
professional treatment can help them manage cravings, withdrawal and underlying
mental health difficulties.
People who may be physically dependent on alcohol or certain other substances
should seek medical advice before stopping suddenly, because withdrawal can
sometimes be dangerous.
Relapse can occur during recovery. It should prompt a review of the support and
treatment plan rather than a conclusion that the person has failed. Recovery may
take time, and each person’s needs are different.
Zimbabwe’s Multisectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan for 2024 to 2030
recognises substance abuse as a national concern and provides a framework for
coordinated action. Its implementation requires cooperation among families, health
professionals, schools, communities and public institutions.
A MESSAGE OF HOPE FOR ZIMBABWEAN YOUTH
Every young person deserves an opportunity to build a future that is not controlled
by harmful substance use. The decision to seek help can mark an important turning
point, even when the journey towards recovery is challenging.
Young people should know that they do not have to face substance-related
problems alone. Support is available through appropriate health services,
counselling and trusted community networks.
Families and communities must make it easier for young people to ask for help
without fear of humiliation. Prevention and recovery become more achievable
when people combine personal commitment with practical support.
To every young person who is thinking about quitting: your decision matters.
You can take the first step, ask for help and work towards change. Your past
does not have to determine your future.
Sources
- Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, I. (1975). Belief, Attitude, Intention, and Behavior: An
Introduction to Theory and Research. Addison-Wesley. - UNICEF Zimbabwe. (2023). Understanding Drug Use and Substance Abuse by
Zimbabwean Adolescents and Young People.
https://www.unicef.org/zimbabwe/reports/understanding-drug-use-and-substance-
abuse-zimbabwean-adolescents-and-young-people - UNICEF Zimbabwe. (2024). Zimbabwe Multisectoral Drug and Substance
Abuse Plan 2024–2030. https://www.unicef.org/zimbabwe/reports/zimbabwe-
multisectoral-drug-and-substance-abuse-plan
