Following several years of hardship, ODM Communication Director Philip Etale made the personal decision to stop drinking.
He announced his decision on social media and later opened up about his path to rehabilitation from alcohol.
“One of the most remarkable decisions I made on my birthday was to cease drinking. I am proud of my decision, so help me God,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Etale’s alcohol problems intensified after he fell into depression in 2015, following the death of his kid and the sadness of grieving his mother in 2014.
After laying his kid to rest, Etale became ill and went to the hospital for examinations, where he was admitted for one week.
The doctors determined that he had diabetes and referred him to a counselor, where he was counseled and asked to stop drinking.
According to him, his initial tries backfired when peer pressure and mob mentality forced him to return to his drinking habits in 2017.
Etale claimed that he was out to impress pals by hanging out with them and wasting money on costly drinks.
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In early July, he noticed his body aching and went for another examination at Ngong Road, Prestige Plaza. His sugar level was 25, which was extremely high.
He was released after five hours of intravenous (IV) therapy and was instructed to drink plenty of water while taking his pain medication.
“I had stopped following my prescribed diet and was drinking again. The doctor advised me to minimize my alcohol use. Instead of slowing down, I opted to quit and focus on my own health. I want to live to be 85 years or older, like my father and grandfather,” Etale added.
Etale’s biggest regret was wasting money that he could have saved and used to change and impact people’s lives.
He claimed that he had committed himself to saving since then and would fulfill his late mother’s desire of uplifting the girl child.
“If I had saved Ksh 10,000 per month, that would be Ksh 120,000 per year for the year I was an alcoholic. I quit, and I encourage other young men to do the same,” he said.
