"Addiction led me to smoke in church," these were some of the painful memories beloved Shuga actress, Waihiga Mutero recalled.
At the tender age of nine, she moved to Pretoria South Africa where she was not only hit by culture shock but bullying from every corner mostly for being different.
This was the start of the journey to addiction, first with food before she progressed to alcohol and smoking when she moved back to Kenya to pursue a career in acting.
She narrated her story with Shared Moments With Justus on Tuesday, January 3 where she recalled her parents paying Ksh150,000 per month at a local rehabilitation centre adding up to Ksh600,000 for the four months she was an inpatient.
According to Mutero, the rehab centre was not only unprofessional but the staff beat up some of the patients.
Njoki, as she was known in the show, noted that the rehab also broke protocols and prescribed the wrong medication to some of the patients a move she stated only shifted the addiction to the drugs.
"After taking the medication, I gained some weight and my parents mistook that for progress. I was released and the doctors recommended a six-month outpatient program but after I told my parents what I witnessed at the centre they did not allow me to continue," she narrated.
The actress advocated for those seeking rehabilitation to look for facilities offering the 12 steps of recovery.
"These people are just taking advantage, they give you a high dose of these drugs to get you addicted but the medication does not help.
People should do their research, you do not know the untold stories inside these rehabilitation stories in the country," she added.
While on her drug abuse and drinking spree, she was too intoxicated and woke up in Watamu after enjoying some drinks along Kiambu Road.
"I got scared I was seated on the beach in a place I did not know with Ksh150 in my pocket. I did not know where I would wake up next if I drank again," Mutero recalled.
"At times I would be drinking in questionable joints with people I did not know but I did mind since alcohol was available. One day I ended up in a ditch," she narrated.
Conclusively, the actress attributed her sobriety to God, who reportedly came to her rescue at a time of need. Mutero added, "God made me an alcoholic to be close to him. If he had given me all I wanted, I would not be close to him."
Mutero who holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism also has a YouTube channel where she discusses issues dealing with alcoholism, addiction, mental illness, and mental wellness.
"I am an advocate for the awareness of social issues such as addiction and I am proud to be of service to these groups," she wrote on her LinkedIn.
