Share my story
Every story matters. If you’ve been affected by alcohol-related harm or violence, share your experience anonymously or publicly. Read stories from others below and add your voice to the movement.
submit my storyDid you know: Over 50% of violent crimes in South Africa involve alcohol.
the many stories tell one big one
True Cost of Alcohol
My brother is an alcoholic, and we are three sisters living together in our parents’ house. Every time he is drunk, he insults us and swears at us in front of our children. When he is sober, he is a shy person. The sad part is that there is now a drink called Ngombion, sold in Esikhaleni. After drinking that alcohol, he becomes like a mad person. The government should restrict alcohol.
Constance Ngidi - Age:51
Apr 10, 2026
My brother is an alcoholic, and we are three sisters living together in our parents’ house. Every time he is drunk, he insults us and swears at us in front of our children. When he is sober, he is a shy person. The sad part is that there is now a drink called Ngombion, sold in Esikhaleni. After drinking that alcohol, he becomes like a mad person. The government should restrict alcohol.
Alcohol degraded me, dehumanized me. I went from a Barbie Doll to Barbie Black Label. I lost everything, the love and respect of my kids, my mother, respect of the community, friends, job. I ended up being a nobody. I would even negotiate via sex, just my beer, I mistaken love for the exchange of alcohol.
Anonymous - Age:45
Apr 07, 2026
Alcohol degraded me, dehumanized me. I went from a Barbie Doll to Barbie Black Label. I lost everything, the love and respect of my kids, my mother, respect of the community, friends, job. I ended up being a nobody. I would even negotiate via sex, just my beer, I mistaken love for the exchange of alcohol.
I have been admitted to hospital because of alcohol. It has badly affected my memory and I often cannot remember anything the day after drinking. Alcohol is also slowly killing me through the ulcers it has caused.
Anonymous - Age:49
Apr 06, 2026
I have been admitted to hospital because of alcohol. It has badly affected my memory and I often cannot remember anything the day after drinking. Alcohol is also slowly killing me through the ulcers it has caused.
It was a good day according to our plans, we went out on Friday night as friends to enjoy ourselves and have a few drinks. At around 23:45, the owner insisted on closing even though we were already drunk and not ready to go home. The bouncers opened the gate and escorted us out of the property. Someone then came out and hit me in the face with a Hunter’s beer bottle. I still do not know what I did to cause the problem but it showed me dangerous side of alcohol first hand.
Anonymous - Age:38
Apr 06, 2026
It was a good day according to our plans, we went out on Friday night as friends to enjoy ourselves and have a few drinks. At around 23:45, the owner insisted on closing even though we were already drunk and not ready to go home. The bouncers opened the gate and escorted us out of the property. Someone then came out and hit me in the face with a Hunter’s beer bottle. I still do not know what I did to cause the problem but it showed me dangerous side of alcohol first hand.
Im 41 years old and I'm from a township (unit 7 Hammanskraal) where we are surrounded by Taverns, the music is loud and plays till 2am all weekend. The Taverns are situated in residential areas and one of them is in front of a community orphanage home. Young kids can be seen in and around the Taverns as there are no libraries or any other recreational facilities. Role Modelling exists in this manner for them.
Shona Mogano - Age:41
Jan 15, 2026
Im 41 years old and I'm from a township (unit 7 Hammanskraal) where we are surrounded by Taverns, the music is loud and plays till 2am all weekend. The Taverns are situated in residential areas and one of them is in front of a community orphanage home. Young kids can be seen in and around the Taverns as there are no libraries or any other recreational facilities. Role Modelling exists in this manner for them.
I grew up in a violent home and, as a teenager, turned to alcohol to cope. It cost me my education, my relationships, and my sense of self. Hitting rock bottom led me to choose recovery through rehabilitation, which restored my discipline and purpose. I share my story to break the silence around alcohol misuse and to show that recovery is possible.
Klaas - Age:26
Jan 10, 2026
I grew up in a violent home and, as a teenager, turned to alcohol to cope. It cost me my education, my relationships, and my sense of self. Hitting rock bottom led me to choose recovery through rehabilitation, which restored my discipline and purpose. I share my story to break the silence around alcohol misuse and to show that recovery is possible.
I lost my younger brother, to a drunk-driving crash two years ago. He was only 22 - full of life, dreams, and promise. The driver was twice over the legal limit. One reckless choice ended a future that had just begun. Every birthday, every family gathering, there’s an empty seat. It’s not just numbers or statistics, it’s lives destroyed. That’s why I support higher taxes on alcohol. If raising the price means saving even one family from this pain, it’s worth it
Anonymous - Age:28
Oct 30, 2025
I lost my younger brother, to a drunk-driving crash two years ago. He was only 22 - full of life, dreams, and promise. The driver was twice over the legal limit. One reckless choice ended a future that had just begun. Every birthday, every family gathering, there’s an empty seat. It’s not just numbers or statistics, it’s lives destroyed. That’s why I support higher taxes on alcohol. If raising the price means saving even one family from this pain, it’s worth it
I’ve been a teacher in a township primary school for over a decade. Some mornings, I see children arriving with hungry stomachs, tired eyes, and bruises they try to hide. Their stories are painfully familiar - parents drinking through the night, fights breaking out, school fees spent on alcohol. It’s easy to talk about education being the key to a better future, but how can children focus when alcohol has taken over their homes? This isn’t just a social issue - it’s a national emergency. I share my story because we need to protect the next generation before it’s too late
Anonymous - Age:32
Sep 25, 2025
I’ve been a teacher in a township primary school for over a decade. Some mornings, I see children arriving with hungry stomachs, tired eyes, and bruises they try to hide. Their stories are painfully familiar - parents drinking through the night, fights breaking out, school fees spent on alcohol. It’s easy to talk about education being the key to a better future, but how can children focus when alcohol has taken over their homes? This isn’t just a social issue - it’s a national emergency. I share my story because we need to protect the next generation before it’s too late