Dealing with Psychological Effects of Alcohol Use by Adolescents: A Case of Kihesa Ward in Iringa, Tanzania

Abstract

This study sought to investigate ways used to deal with psychological effects of the use of alcohol by adolescents at Kihesa ward in Iringa municipality. Semi structured interview was used to collect data from 36 respondents. The study found out that counseling and psycho education were commonly used to deal with the effect of alcohol use by adolescents. Counseling and psycho education have an impact in assisting adolescents who engage in the use of alcohol in the study area. Medication and spiritual intervention are complementary ways used to deal with psychological effects of the use of alcohol by adolescents. Community took part in curbing the problem under investigation. Since no single treatment to addictions which stands out more effective than all others, so the use of a numbers of approaches is recommendable for effective efforts to help adolescents who are involved in alcoholism. Therefore, psychological, medical,   spiritual and other approaches need to be combined.