Preview

The Chang'Aa Brew

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1529 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Chang'Aa Brew
DAYSTAR UNIVERSITY

PSYCHOLOGY (PSY 111T)
GROUP PROJECT: CHANG’AA - THE DEADLY KILLER.
PRESENTED BY: ANGELA OMONDI & KEVIN CHAVERA

CHANG’AA: THE DEADLY KILLER.
1. Introduction
Chang’aa is a popular alcoholic drink commonly found in Kenya and it was once illegal, but was recently legalized. According to online encyclopedia Wikipedia, the literal meaning of chang’aa is ‘kill me quick.’ It is a clear liquor which announces itself with a fierce burn and an after taste of soil when consumed. Chang’aa is distilled from grains like maize and sorghum. Other additives that are usually added to the drink during its preparation to make it have a more lasting effect on the drinker are the ones which make it lethal. This paper will discuss the reasons why people drink chang’aa, its effects and finally propose possible solutions to avert the effects of chang’aa drinking.
2. Reasons why people drink Chang’aa.
People drink chang’aa because of a number of reasons, which are often intertwined. According to the Kakuma News Reflector, “Belinda”, who owns a chang’aa brewery in Kakuma Refugee Camp, observes that people drink chang’aa in order to keep themselves busy and reduce the stress of life. She also notes that people who drink chang’aa are usually hopeless towards their lives.
Korogocho is one of the sprawling slums in Nairobi and the ‘Grogon den’ is one place where drinkers usually assemble to have their fill. Michael is one such drinker, and he says he knows chang’aa is dangerous but it is all he can afford. He further admits that he likes to drink and needs chang’aa because he has a lot of problems. He drinks in the morning before he goes to work and when he leaves, he feels the drink has given him courage to do anything.
People also drink chang’aa out of despair and hopelessness. During a parliamentary debate on Thursday, 24th June 2010 regarding The Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, a Member of Parliament, Gitobu Imanyara, remarked that on any weekend if you go to

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Charles Bukowski, an American poet, novelist, and short story writer, once said “If something bad happens you drink in an attempt to forget; if something good happens you drink in order to celebrate; and if nothing happens you drink to make something happen.” Many people around the world struggle with alcoholism. They will find any reason just to slip a drink into their daily routines. Some people drink to forget the guilt and shame, some drink as a way of celebration, and others drink because of they are physically dependent on it. The addiction to alcohol is an illness and the people surrounding an alcoholic can be negatively impacted by their ways. The many consequences that come with the addiction can often lead negative outcomes such as death and crumbling relationships.…

    • 273 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “The chief reasons for starting to drink involve social and cultural factors, particularly the expectancies that form from watching other individuals enjoying themselves while drinking (Text, )”. Many young people start because they see their parents and friends doing it. Additionally, many ceremonies and celebrations involve the use of alcohol, showing others alcohol is acceptable and fun. Media also plays a role in a person’s decision to drink alcohol. Alcohol use is abundant in many television shows and movies. It is almost impossible to watch a television show without seeing a commercial promoting alcohol. Along with these reasons, others begin drinking because of psychological reasons such as, depression, stress, and anxiety. Many of the individuals who drink for these reasons can cause increased problems with their mental health. These people drink to change their mental state because alcohol can temporarily alleviate the feelings of depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, this can cause people to have much worse feelings of depression and anxiety. This can lead some people to drink more to get rid of the increased feelings, causing a vicious cycle of…

    • 829 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Thesis: While the symptoms and damaging effects of alcoholism can be physically and mentally dangerous, there are many different treatment options and precautions available to prevent against this harmful disease.…

    • 308 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Psychodynamic Theory

    • 1269 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The psychodynamic theorist such as Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung suggest that psychological, emotional, and motivational forces occur in an unconscious level. Given the diverse cultural backgrounds that exist it is pivotal that professionals in the field develop an understanding of the ethnocentric limitations of the psychodynamic theory. Understanding the psychodynamic theory and multicultural elements coincide, but given the ethnocentric limitations discussed in this paper one can conclude that psychodynamic theory is not necessarily a universal concept (Cervone & Pervin, 2010). This paper will provide a definition of psychodynamic theory in addition to discussing the ethnocentric limitations and culturally diverse interactions.…

    • 1269 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Every weekend there are young adults ages eighteen to twenty engaging in underage drinking at parties. Alcohol plays a huge role in today's’ society. More people drink today than ever before. It is clear that alcohol has had a good impact on people’s lives, but it is more clear that it has had an negative impact on people’s lives. Alcoholic beverages include good things such as happiness for celebrations. Downfalls of alcohol include DUIs, addictions, and death.…

    • 1866 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    Globally, alcohol abuse disorders have become a problem for seventy-six million people (Orford, Natera, Copello, Atkinson, 2005). Addiction is a disease, not merely a social disorder. The disease not only affects the inflicted individuals, but can also be detrimental to family members and the greater community. Causes of addiction can be grouped into three categories: psychological traits, the family, and cultural beliefs. In order to remedy this problem, researchers have suggested psychosocial treatment, participation in Alcoholics Anonymous including abstinence from the drug completely, and having drug abuse education to counteract the social culture in which an addict is surrounded.…

    • 4511 Words
    • 19 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the United States alone, there are 17.6 million alcoholics. That is about one in twelve people. Some people drink because the think it is fun and others drink because they have some sort of problem that they are trying to get through. Some do not know that they have a problem until somebody tells them or something tragic happens to make them realize their problem.…

    • 598 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Alcohol responsibilty

    • 489 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Alcohol drinkers experienced myriads of challenges and risks in their life as long as they use alcohol. Some of these risks include; health, accidents, social conflict, family conflicts, waste of income, loss of job, involving in risking sexual behaviors, illegal actions and even death. Personally, my attitude and the belief on the use of alcohol has been largely influenced by my own experiences, my family, the friends I walk with, my teachers, my religion that prohibits the use of substance and finally the advertisement on the media about the negative impact of using this substances.…

    • 489 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    United States. Centre for Social Research on Alcohol and Drugs. Ferentzy, Peter. From Sin to disease: differences and similarities between past and current conceptions of chronic drunkenness Federal Legal Publications 2001.…

    • 1098 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Developmental Plan

    • 1107 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Alcoholism and drug abuse is a devastating disease that affects not only those that suffer from it, but also all those around them. Alcohol and drug abuse is very prevalent in the US; it takes many shapes, forms, and knows no color. This abuse can start as young as 9 or 10 years old and can continue until death. This disease affects many different types of people. It affects women, men, children, the rich, the poor, the employed, the unemployed, and does not discriminate. Alcoholism and drug abuse is a chronic illness that can become all consuming, and the cravings for drugs and alcohol experienced by an alcoholic and drug addict can be as strong as those for food and water. The need to drink and drug in theses addicts can eventually, without treatment surpass even health issues, family and work trouble, and legal problems. Because there is no “cure” for alcoholism and drug abuse, not drinking and drugging at all is necessary for the addicted person’s lifetime.…

    • 1107 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    It is worth noting that many students have been indulging in binge drinking with the excuse that it is normal as per the culture in their colleges. There are other factors that influence college students to binge drink including environmental, social, developmental, and cognitive factors. Though most students who binge drink defend their behaviour by citing the positive side of binge drinking such as curbing stress and elevating self-confidence, the consequences are often costly and regrettable. This essay provides an argument on the factors that influence college students to indulge in binge drinking, including the various false beliefs about alcohol consumption. In addition, the essay will shed light on the consequences of binge drinking and show that contrary to the tendency of college students to glamorize binge drinking, it is a risky and costly endeavour.…

    • 4668 Words
    • 19 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    There are widespread problems dealing with alcoholism. According to National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2004) nearly 14 million Americans (1 in every 13 adults) are alcoholic. Economically, alcohol related problems cost society approximately $185 billion per year. It is more than just monetary; it is also physical and mental. Alcoholism consists of four stages (“Alcoholism getting the Facts”, 2004). The first stage is craving which is a strong need for a drink. The second stages loss of control which is not being able to limit one’s drinking. The third stage physical dependence such as withdrawal symptoms. The fourth and final stage is tolerance, the need to drink more in order to get high. Understanding the four stage of alcoholism, it contributes to my theory that alcoholism is a disease…

    • 1228 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    A review of : Bramel, D. (August 1981). Hawthorne, the Myth of the Docile Worker, and Class Bias in…

    • 1584 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The term “alcoholism” describes a drinker who is mentally and physically dependent on alcohol, and who would most likely have withdrawal symptoms upon trying to quit. This dependence prevents most alcoholics from being able to control when they drink and how much they drink. For that reason, alcoholics usually drink to excess despite the consequences. Alcoholism, like any addiction, is a chronic disorder which involves continued use despite negative consequences and requires ongoing treatment and management. This research paper will cover many aspects of alcoholism including the causes and effects of drinking and different treatment approaches.…

    • 2743 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    TUBA: A Waray Heritage

    • 3166 Words
    • 10 Pages

    People today are fan of drinking expensive hard alcoholic beverages especially those who are stressed or who have problems. They drink a lot of these because of its effects that can make them high or drunk and makes them forget their problems. Not only problematic people do these, but also those people who want to have fun, not knowing the effects that will happen to some parts of their body of drinking too much of it. Too much intake of these liquors can cause kidney cancer which makes it more expensive when it comes to treatment. This illness won’t happen if they choose the right liquor to drink.…

    • 3166 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Better Essays