Mollyn Nakabea 
[Photo: FILE]
Yaqona consumption is among the forms of cross-addiction the Salvation army’s recovery services is looking to address.
Salvation Army Pastor Petero Yavala says the programme is looking beyond commonly recognised forms of substance abuse to address other habits
Yavala says Yaqona consumption was also being discussed with participants, particularly how it can become part of a cycle involving alcohol.
“Yaqona is also a cross-addiction, and we want to address this because even yesterday, we were talking about it with the class. It’s kind of like, in our culture, one big yaqona session, plenty of yaqona, next comes alcohol. And then we go back to that cycle again.”
He says this is an important issue to address within the local cultural context.
Yavala adds that the aim is to help clients recognise and understand their triggers and develop healthier ways of managing addiction.
