Alcohol Use Disorder in African Youths: Causes, Effects, and Response

By Chika Jones, BNSC, RN RM, RPHN, Freelance Health Writer. Medically reviewed by Grace Chukwuekwu. B.MLS. Health Writer

Three young men sitting around a table laughing and drinking beer. Image credit: Freepik

 

Highlights

• Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition caused by or due to an impaired ability of a person to stop or control alcohol use despite harmful social, occupational, or health consequences.

• Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) includes such terms as alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, alcohol addiction and alcoholism.

• Alcohol Use Disorder is of great public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa due to its high prevalence and broad consequences in adults and youths alike.

• The consequences of AUD spans the field of health and medicine, mental health, behaviour, and criminal justice.

 

Introduction 

When an individual cannot reduce or stop alcohol consumption despite the health, social and occupational consequences, it is defined as an alcohol use disorder. [1]  Although not clinically accurate, the terms alcohol addiction, alcoholism, alcohol abuse, or alcohol dependence are often used in lay-speak in place of alcohol use disorder. [2] 

Alcohol use disorder  (AUD) is becoming more common among African youth. This article will highlight what alcohol use disorder is, the causes, effects and needed response to the problem at personal and public health levels.

 

Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder

The United Nations (UN) defines youth as individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 years. Researchers have estimated that globally, three in ten children between 15 and 19 years have ever consumed alcohol. [3] Adolescents who drink alcohol before 15 years are four times more at risk of AUD compared to those who start at 21 years, largely because the brain is still developing at such a young age.  [1]

Alcohol use disorder is a common public health concern globally [4] and alcohol is a common substance abused among adolescents. [5] Sub-Saharan Africa has a high prevalence of alcohol use. Alcohol use is a leading cause of disability in sub-Saharan Africa. [4] Disability can occur due to road accidents, such as drinking while driving, domestic accidents, etc.

 

Burden of Alochol Use Disorder among African Youths

Prevalence of Alcohol use and Alcohol Use Disorder in African Youths. Data source: Belete et al. 2024

 

The burden of alcohol use and alcohol use disorder in African adolescents as well as adults, varies considerably among sub-Saharan African countries and data are often limited and incomplete in most countries. 

Notwithstanding, a systematic review and meta-analysis study (i.e., a rigorous and organised study of studies) on alcohol use and alcohol use disorder in Africa that was published in 2024 found a lifetime, past year and past 6-months alcohol use prevalence of 23%, 36% and 11% respectively among African adolescents. The study also found the prevalence of alcohol use disorder and alcohol dependence in the past year were 8% and 4% respectively.

Adolescents in West Africa had a higher lifetime prevalence and attributable deaths due to alcohol use compared to their peers in Southern and Eastern Africa. However, among countries, adolescents in Zambia, Benin Republic and Sao Tome and Principe had relatively higher lifetime and 6 months alcohol use prevalence.

These prevalence rates, although considered lower than in most high income countries of the West, are still very significant given emerging evidence indicating that the burden of alcohol related health disabilities and deaths are higher in sub-Saharan African countries than in high income countries.

 

Causes of Alcohol Use Disorder among African Youths

• Genetics: Genes cause the inheritance of certain familial traits, thereby increasing the likelihood of early alcohol abuse. These traits could determine how you respond to stress and impulsive behaviour. However, these traits don't exist in isolation; environmental influences trigger them.

• Peer Pressure: Peers can influence their friends to take alcohol. Some African youths may be initiated into alcohol consumption at an early age because of peer pressure. 

• Environmental Influences: African youths who grow up in families or environments that encourage excess alcohol consumption are more likely to be involved with alcohol use disorder even at a young age. They must have seen it as a normal occurrence and thought nothing was wrong. Sometimes it could be a sibling or distant relative who may have influenced them. Lack of parental supervision and parental neglect play a role too.

• Digital Media: The media can also influence African youths towards alcohol use by showing excess alcohol consumption as the norm and associating alcohol consumption with images of wealth, success, and social attractions. etc.

• Stress: Some African youths may see alcohol as a simple route to escape stress from work, academic workload or financial hardships. This could be a coping strategy and places them at a higher risk of developing alcohol addiction. [6]

• Socioeconomic Status: Studies show that people from low-income families have a higher risk of developing alcohol use disorder. [6] Alcohol is a means of escape from the stress of poverty. 

• Unregulated Access and Economic Interests: Alcohol is seen in social settings and is central in African cultures [7]. Access in some African countries, especially in rural areas is poorly regulated due to economic interests and weak government policies. [7]

• Weak Alcohol Policy Enforcement. Alcohol policy enforcement in most African countries is generally weak. With 54 sovereign countries in Africa, only 9 have created centralised bodies to ensure compliance with their respective national policies. 29 African countries do not have a national policy. [6] Lack of national policies exposes African youths to the harm of alcohol and its effects.

How do you know that you or someone you know have an alcohol use disorder? Let us discuss the signs and symptoms.

 

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder in African Youths?

You or someone you know is likely to have alcohol use disorder if you or them experience some of these conditions:  

Signs and symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder. Click on imagre to enlarge

• Constant craving for consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages 
• Drinking alcohol for a long period.
• You haven't drank for some days and noticed you couldn't stay long without it.
• Drinking alcohol negatively affects your work and relationships.
• You drink alcohol when it's not safe, like drinking while driving or swimming.
• You experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms like sweating and shaking when you haven't taken alcohol for a while

 

How Alcohol Affects Your Health 

When you consume alcohol in excess, you may experience these short-term and long-term effects: 

•  Central Nervous Dysfunctions

Photo of a black young adult lying on a sofa and having a hangover following alcohol use. AI generated image from Freepik

The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. Their task is to control

• Voluntary actions (e.g., movements)
• Involuntary actions (breathing, urinating and digestion etc.) 
• Processing of sensations like touch, temperature, sight, sound, etc., 
• Cognition (higher order brain function such as memory, decision making, judgement, speech, attention, impulse control, etc.). 

Alcohol slows down the actions of the CNS. [8] When you consume excess alcohol, you may not walk well or constantly experience memory loss, etc. This could affect your ability to function at work, school or home.

• Nerve Damage (Peripheral Neuropathy)

Alcohol can harm the peripheral nerves, which are like tiny wires that connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. These nerves help the hands, feet, arms, and legs to relay sensations to the brain for feelings and for movement generally. 

When alcohol is used for a long time, it blocks the body from absorbing key nutrients, especially B vitamins which are needed for healthy nerve function. Without these nutrients, the nerves may malfunction and stop sending clear messages. Peripheral neuropathy causes numbness, tingling, burning pain, or weakness in the hands and feet. 

• Multiple Organ Damage 

Illustration showing some examples of alcohol induced damages to several organs of the body. Image adapted from: Freepik

 

Long term alcohol use can cause multiple organ damage and varieties of diseases. For example:

Liver:

Alcohol hepatitis (chronic inflammation of the liver), can lead to fatty liver, fibrosis (scarring) and cirrhosis (irreversible scarring), with the likelihood of liver failure, liver cancer and brain malfunction. [9]

Heart:

• Cardiomyopathy - this describes damage to the heart muscles caused by a variety of factors including excessive alcohol use. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy can cause heart muscles to fail in the process of pumping adequate blood to the body.
• Arrhythmia - Irregular beating of the heart
• Blood vessel disease (like atherosclerosis) - which may cause narrowing of vessels that supply other vital organs of the body including the heart itself. Atherosclerosis is associated with cholesterol, fatty substances, and other minerals and substances that deposit on the inner lining of blood vessels. Apart from narrowing of blood vessels, atherosclerosis may cause aneurysm too. This is a condition caused by weakening of the muscle wall of blood vessels that may lead to fatal bleeding due to the rupture of the vessel.
• Hypertension - or raised blood pressure

 Hypertension and other alcohol related cardiovascular diseases raise the odds for heart attack, angina, and stroke.

   Kidneys:

• Excessive alcohol use can damage the kidneys and harm their ability to filter waste from the urine. This can cause chronic kidney disease and hypertension.

• Reproductive and Sexual dysfunction 

Alcohol slows the actions of the brain [8]. Mild alcohol use can promote sexual activity, but chronic alcohol abuse affects sexual reproduction for both men and women. For women, it causes loss of sex drive, painful intercourse and vaginal dryness. [10] Evidence shows that excess alcohol use reduces the male sex hormones. This causes low sexual drive in men and erectile dysfunction.

• Risky Behaviours

Mild alcohol use may promote socialisation, but alcohol abuse is a leading cause of risky sexual behaviours like unprotected sex, multiple sex partners and assault with consequences such as increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), cervical cancer, unintended pregnancies and illegal activities.

• Mental Disorders

Excessive alcohol consumption can cause mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, suicide, self-harm, and alcohol dependency, etc. [10, 11] Alcohol is a gateway drug whose use often leads to the abuse of other substances because it lowers inhibition, impairs judgment, and increases the likelihood of experimenting with stronger drugs. It places you at risk of substance abuse like heroin, marijuana, tobacco, etc. [6].

 

How to Tackle the Problems of Alcohol Use Disorder in Africa 

Tackling the problems associated with alcohol use disorder is a complex task requiring collaborative efforts from several stakeholders. 

1. Parents and families

The family is the first community African youths are exposed to in life. Parents, family members and caregivers must be educated on alcohol use disorder, the signs they should look out for and how they can help to prevent it. 

Family members must be taught about the harmful effects of alcohol on the body. They should lead by example. They cannot be advising their children not to engage in binge drinking while they engage in it as well. They must create an environment that doesn't promote underage drinking. Parents and guardians must not allow their children or wards to drink until they are 18 years old and even then drinking should be under supervision and limited. 

2. Social Influences 

African is rooted in culture and religion. Some religions do not allow their members to drink alcohol, while others advise drinking in moderation. Whatever the case, social influence plays a huge role in curbing alcohol use and alcohol use disorder among African youths.

Communities of social influence should work together to educate young people in the community about the harmful effects of alcohol and why it's important not to make drinking a daily habit. They should also advocate for the provision of various community resources that can teach life-skills, promote employment and social engagement, etc. These help to steer youth away from alcohol use and its untoward consequences. 

3. Digital Awareness Campaign 

African youths spend a significant amount of time online. Through social media, stakeholders should inform them about the dangers of excessive alcohol use, its effects on the body, and ways to avoid it. This campaign can also be extended to mass media platforms such as television and radio.

4. School-Based Intiatives

Schools have a responsibility to prepare African youths for the future. Programs such as school awareness initiatives, health education sessions, and seminars should be organised to enlighten young people. Given that some may perceive alcoholism as normal, schools must educate students on the risks of alcohol abuse, the influence of peer pressure, and ways to resist it.

5. Strong Alcohol Policies and Implementation

Effective policies must be established to protect African teens and youths from alcohol abuse. These could include restricting alcohol sales to licensed stores, limiting or regulating locally brewed alcohol, and prohibiting alcohol sales to minors.

6. Provision of Social and Medical Care

Alcohol Use Disorder impacts the mental, physical and social health of young people causing a need for healthcare intervention. Youths may be reluctant to seek medical and professional alcohol use disorder treatment because of the stigma and feeling of judgement they may face. These should not be reasons for not seeking help. 

Professionally staffed and youth friendly treatment and social care centres should be established across African countries to provide early rehabilitation services to young people with alcohol use disorder. Governments need to provide funding for the effective running of the centres as a matter of public health priority. 

7. Poverty Reduction and Life skills Opportunities

It is well known that family poverty, lack of employment, poor life-skills opportunities and low educational status are risk factors for alcohol use and abuse by young people. African governments and non-governmental organisations have roles to play in implementing policies and programs to alleviate family poverty, teach life-skills and support young people to stay in formal or vocational schools as well as how to seek and get employed within the community.  

8. Research Studies

More country-based studies are needed to understand the problem of alcohol use disorder as it affects African youth in each country. This will help to inform country and cross-country policies for more targeted interventions in the various countries of Africa.  

 

Conclusion 

Alcohol Use Disorder is a growing public health concern especially among African youths. The risk factors are numerous and the impact not only affects the individuals but families, communities and countries. To address these issues, awareness and action are essential keys to success. Join hands with others to stop alcohol misuse and lower the occurrence of alcohol use disorders among youths in Africa

 

References

1. Belay GM, Wah MY, Ka K, Liu Q, Ting M, Xi C, et al. Reasons and impacts of alcohol use disorder among ethnic minority young adults: a descriptive phenomenological study. Frontiers in Public Health. 2025 Jun 19;13. Available from here 

2.  National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Understanding alcohol use disorder [Internet]. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 2025. Available from here ‌

‌3.  Kyei?Gyamfi S, Wellington N, Kyei-Arthur F. Prevalence, Reasons, Predictors, Perceived Effects, and Regulation of Alcohol Use among Children in Ghana. Journal of addiction. 2023 Jul 18;2023:1–10. Available from here ‌

4.  Chen C, Mpinganjira MG, Motilal A, Matukane S, Letsoalo R, McKee T, et al. Prevalence and correlates of alcohol use and risky drinking among undergraduate students in Johannesburg, South Africa: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry. 2023 Aug 1;23(1).  Available from here 

5.  Nyemara N, Maling S, Rukundo A, Rukundo GZ, Ashaba S, Merkel R, et al. Prevalence of Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol Use Disorder among Adolescents in Ibanda District, South Western Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study. Open Journal of Social Sciences [Internet]. 2023 Aug 3;11(8):135–49. Available from here 

‌6.  Turyasiima M, Gillian B, Akot, Makongwa I, Yusuf HM, Epuitai J. Addressing High Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol Use Disorders Among Adolescents and Young People in Sub-Saharan Africa: Pathways to Effective Action. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation. 2025 Jun 1;Volume 16:165–75. Available from here.

‌7.  Ajayi AI, Owolabi EO, Olajire OO. Alcohol use among Nigerian university students: prevalence, correlates and frequency of use. BMC Public Health [Internet]. 2019 Jun 13;19(1). Available from here  

‌8.   Varghese J, Dakhode S. Effects of Alcohol Consumption on Various Systems of the Human Body: a Systematic Review. Cureus [Internet]. 2022 Oct 8;14(10). Available from here  ‌

9.  Shah NJ, Royer A, John S. Alcoholic Hepatitis [Internet]. PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020. Available from here  ‌

10. Ghadigaonkar DS, Murthy P. Sexual Dysfunction in Persons With Substance Use Disorders. Journal of Psychosexual Health. 2019 Apr;1(2):117–21.  Available from here  

11. Agbetiloye A. African countries where alcohol is illegal [Internet]. Business  Insider Africa. 2024 [cited 2025 Sep 7]. Available from here  ‌

12. Mushi D, Francis JM, Moshiro C, Hanlon C, Teferra S. Integration of Alcohol Use Disorder Interventions in General Health Care Settings in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2022 Mar 15;13. Available from here

 

 

Related: 

Substance abuse in Nigeria: What you need to know

Top 5 Abused Substances by Nigerian Youths

Factors Driving Substance Use in Young Nigerians

 

Published: October 3, 2025

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