Renowned media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu recently shared personal details about his long battle with cigarette addiction and his journey to quitting. During a candid discussion on the ‘MENtality’ podcast alongside musician Banky W and influencer Aproko, Ebuka disclosed that his smoking habit began when he was in Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3).
He admitted to smoking for more than a decade, escalating to a heavy consumption of two packs per day by the time he reached university. “I was a heavy smoker,” he confessed, highlighting the intensity of his addiction.
Ebuka emphasized that overcoming the habit required consistent and deliberate effort. He noted that many individuals mistakenly replace one addiction with another while trying to break free. Banky W echoed this sentiment, revealing his own struggle with pornography as a misguided substitute for promiscuity. He thought watching adult content would curb his desire for multiple partners, but instead it led to a new dependency.
Aproko, a medical doctor, offered insight into the psychology behind addiction, explaining that humans are driven by two primary motivations: avoiding pain and seeking pleasure. He suggested that substance abuse often stems from an attempt to escape emotional distress. The trio agreed that self-awareness and self-regulation are crucial in overcoming destructive habits.