Alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence is a growing problem in South Africa, affecting both the health and welfare of the alcoholic, their family and even friends and colleagues. Ranked among the top beer drinking nations of the world and home to one of the largest breweries internationally, South Africa has not tackled the problem of alcohol abuse head on. Lax regulation and enforcement has allowed alcohol abuse to spread to younger age groups and seen illegal taverns (shebeens) pop up throughout South African suburbs.
