Celebrated singer Mthandazo Gatya celebrates a 14 years of sobriety. With newfound determination, the singer has chosen a path free of alcohol, a significant and challenging decision given the prevalent drinking culture within the entertainment industry.
My family’s home had a tavern, so I’d secretly drink alcohol, and that’s how my relationship with alcohol started
Despite the increasing toll it was taking, Gatya managed to hide his drinking habits from his family. “
I’d go out on Fridays and only come back on Sundays, but I was careful not to appear drunk at home or in public. My family didn’t realize the extent of my drinking problem until I was much older.
He witnessed firsthand the negative impacts alcohol could have on people around him, an experience that would later shape his decision to quit.
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Watching Loved Ones Lose Everything to Alcohol
Mthandazo Gatya chose to quit drinking after 14 years and the decision wasn’t made solely for his well-being. He saw the devastating effects alcohol addiction had on his family members, with some losing nearly everything due to their dependency. Witnessing these losses inspired him to make a lasting change in his own life.
Ask yourself why you’re drinking—is it to escape your problems, or just for fun? Once you understand your motivation, you can better decide how far you want to take it.