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Substance abuse and mental health concerns are growing issues among high school learners in South Africa. The study aims to investigate the prevalence, correlations and consequences of substance abuse and mental health concerns in Limpopo province. The study draws on Denise Kandal's theory of Gateway to understand and explain the progression of substance use and abuse among youth being high school learners and identify at-risk individuals as well as develop targeted prevention programs. The study adopted a qualitative case-study research design involving Five learners from Grade 10 as participants. The findings of the study revealed that 62,3% reported substance use, with alcohol and cannabis being the most used substances. Additionally, less than 50% of learners are screened positive for mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Notably, substance abuse was found to be significantly associated with mental health. The findings highlight the need for integrated prevention and intervention strategies addressing both substance abuse and mental health concerns in high schools. The study contributes to the understanding of co-occurring substance abuse and mental health concerns among high schools in South Africa. The findings emphasized the need for a comprehensive support system to address the issues and promote learner’s well-being.

Substance abuse is a growing concern with challenging socio-cultural issues among women in South Africa. This study draws from the social workers' perspective to explore the prevalence and drivers of substance use among women. Using a qualitative approach, an exploratory design was employed to gather data through in-depth interviews with social workers in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study’s findings highlight that domestic violence is often a catalyst, leading women to substances as mechanisms for coping with stress, depression, and adversity. Social workers identified the desire for belonging within the social network, and peer pressure normalizes substance use, especially in social gatherings where drugs and substances are easily available and affordable. Unresolved childhood trauma was also flagged as a critical contributor to the prevalence of substance abuse, establishing emotional vulnerabilities. The study shows how these factors influence substance use trajectories among women. It further recommends culturally responsive interventions that incorporate trauma-informed care and community-based support systems, with social workers playing a crucial role in prevention and rehabilitation efforts. The study was grounded in the universal ethical standards to protect the participants and maintain its integrity.

The topic of the study is the lived experiences of youth raised by alcohol dependent parents at Mpheni village, Vhembe District in Limpopo Province, South Africa.  One of the major challenges faced by children staying with parents who abuse alcohol is that they may grow up thinking that alcohol is the solution to any problem they might encounter. The aim of the study was to explore the lived experiences of youth raised by alcohol dependent parents at Mpheni village, Vhembe District in Limpopo Province, South Africa. A qualitative research approach and semi-interview were adopted as a data collection method and data was analysed thematically. However, the sample was drawn from the population using non-probability and snowball sampling to recruit participants for the study. The study found that social gatherings have a major influence on how people perceive and drink alcohol. The researcher recommends hotline services to be implemented so that young people can have professionals whom they can talk to as well as rehabilitation centres for the parents.

There is a dramatic increase in substance use in South Africa, with nyaope use on the rise despite its illegalization in 2014. Nyaope is widely used by young people and people living in poverty in mostly black communities or townships of South Africa. It has severe withdrawal symptoms, and it is very addictive. The treatment for the withdrawal symptoms and the rehabilitation of Nyaope users has significant challenges. The study explored the understanding of social workers about nyaope substance and services provided to nyaope users. The study employed the qualitative research approach. A sample of 19 social workers providing services to Nyaope users at the Department of Social Development, Waterberg District, in Limpopo Province was chosen. The study applied interviews guided by a semi-structured interview schedule and used exploratory research design. Purposive sampling was used to select the samples for the study, and data was analyzed through thematic analysis. The study established that social workers have a better understanding of nyaope substance and provide effective programs aimed at rehabilitating the users. It further established that some of the ingredients used in nyaope include antiretroviral drugs, which are meant for other illnesses. Ecological systems theory was used to provide a foundation and background to the study.

Parental alcohol abuse remains a persistent global public health concern with far-reaching implications for child and adolescent development. While international research continues to demonstrate the correlation between parental alcohol misuse and adverse behavioural outcomes in children, limited attention has been directed toward the experiences of youth in rural African contexts. This study explores the effects of parental alcohol abuse on youth behaviour in Ha-Makuya Village, a rural community in South Africa’s Limpopo Province. Guided by Social Cognitive Theory, the study adopted a qualitative exploratory design. A purposive sample of eight youth aged 18–30 who had been exposed to parental alcohol abuse was selected, with seven ultimately participating in the study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using a six-phase thematic analysis within an interpretivist paradigm. The findings reveal that parental alcohol abuse destabilises family functioning, resulting in financial strain, emotional distress, inconsistent parenting, and social stigma. Participants further described behavioural consequences such as withdrawal, anger, and difficulties forming healthy social relationships. Owing to the absence of formal support services in the village, youth relied mainly on informal coping strategies, including peer support, involvement in community activities, and avoidance-based behaviours. The study highlights the urgent need for rural mental health support, school-based counselling, community education, and family-centred rehabilitation services. It also recommends further research into gendered experiences and intergenerational patterns of alcohol-related behaviours in rural societies.

There is a dramatic increase in substance use in South Africa, with nyaope use on the rise despite its illegalization in 2014. Nyaope is widely used by young people and people living in poverty in mostly black communities or townships of South Africa. It has severe withdrawal symptoms, and it is very addictive. The treatment for the withdrawal symptoms and the rehabilitation of Nyaope users has significant challenges. The study explored the understanding of social workers about nyaope substance and services provided to nyaope users. The study employed the qualitative research approach. A sample of 19 social workers providing services to Nyaope users at the Department of Social Development, Waterberg District, in Limpopo Province was chosen. The study applied interviews guided by a semi-structured interview schedule and used exploratory research design. Purposive sampling was used to select the samples for the study, and data was analyzed through thematic analysis. The study established that social workers have a better understanding of nyaope substance and provide effective programs aimed at rehabilitating the users. It further established that some of the ingredients used in nyaope include antiretroviral drugs, which are meant for other illnesses. Ecological systems theory was used to provide a foundation and background to the study.

Substance abuse is a growing concern with challenging socio-cultural issues among women in South Africa. This study draws from the social workers' perspective to explore the prevalence and drivers of substance use among women. Using a qualitative approach, an exploratory design was employed to gather data through in-depth interviews with social workers in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study’s findings highlight that domestic violence is often a catalyst, leading women to substances as mechanisms for coping with stress, depression, and adversity. Social workers identified the desire for belonging within the social network, and peer pressure normalizes substance use, especially in social gatherings where drugs and substances are easily available and affordable. Unresolved childhood trauma was also flagged as a critical contributor to the prevalence of substance abuse, establishing emotional vulnerabilities. The study shows how these factors influence substance use trajectories among women. It further recommends culturally responsive interventions that incorporate trauma-informed care and community-based support systems, with social workers playing a crucial role in prevention and rehabilitation efforts. The study was grounded in the universal ethical standards to protect the participants and maintain its integrity.

Parental alcohol abuse remains a persistent global public health concern with far-reaching implications for child and adolescent development. While international research continues to demonstrate the correlation between parental alcohol misuse and adverse behavioural outcomes in children, limited attention has been directed toward the experiences of youth in rural African contexts. This study explores the effects of parental alcohol abuse on youth behaviour in Ha-Makuya Village, a rural community in South Africa’s Limpopo Province. Guided by Social Cognitive Theory, the study adopted a qualitative exploratory design. A purposive sample of eight youth aged 18–30 who had been exposed to parental alcohol abuse was selected, with seven ultimately participating in the study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using a six-phase thematic analysis within an interpretivist paradigm. The findings reveal that parental alcohol abuse destabilises family functioning, resulting in financial strain, emotional distress, inconsistent parenting, and social stigma. Participants further described behavioural consequences such as withdrawal, anger, and difficulties forming healthy social relationships. Owing to the absence of formal support services in the village, youth relied mainly on informal coping strategies, including peer support, involvement in community activities, and avoidance-based behaviours. The study highlights the urgent need for rural mental health support, school-based counselling, community education, and family-centred rehabilitation services. It also recommends further research into gendered experiences and intergenerational patterns of alcohol-related behaviours in rural societies.

The topic of the study is the lived experiences of youth raised by alcohol dependent parents at Mpheni village, Vhembe District in Limpopo Province, South Africa.  One of the major challenges faced by children staying with parents who abuse alcohol is that they may grow up thinking that alcohol is the solution to any problem they might encounter. The aim of the study was to explore the lived experiences of youth raised by alcohol dependent parents at Mpheni village, Vhembe District in Limpopo Province, South Africa. A qualitative research approach and semi-interview were adopted as a data collection method and data was analysed thematically. However, the sample was drawn from the population using non-probability and snowball sampling to recruit participants for the study. The study found that social gatherings have a major influence on how people perceive and drink alcohol. The researcher recommends hotline services to be implemented so that young people can have professionals whom they can talk to as well as rehabilitation centres for the parents.

Substance abuse and mental health concerns are growing issues among high school learners in South Africa. The study aims to investigate the prevalence, correlations and consequences of substance abuse and mental health concerns in Limpopo province. The study draws on Denise Kandal's theory of Gateway to understand and explain the progression of substance use and abuse among youth being high school learners and identify at-risk individuals as well as develop targeted prevention programs. The study adopted a qualitative case-study research design involving Five learners from Grade 10 as participants. The findings of the study revealed that 62,3% reported substance use, with alcohol and cannabis being the most used substances. Additionally, less than 50% of learners are screened positive for mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Notably, substance abuse was found to be significantly associated with mental health. The findings highlight the need for integrated prevention and intervention strategies addressing both substance abuse and mental health concerns in high schools. The study contributes to the understanding of co-occurring substance abuse and mental health concerns among high schools in South Africa. The findings emphasized the need for a comprehensive support system to address the issues and promote learner’s well-being.