Media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu has spoken publicly about his past struggle with smoking addiction, revealing how he was able to eventually quit after years of habitual use.
He made the disclosure during a recent episode of the MENtality show, which also featured singer Banky W and social media personality Aproko Doctor.
Ebuka explained that he began smoking while in junior secondary school and continued for about 13 years. He said the habit escalated significantly during his university years, where he reportedly consumed up to two packs of cigarettes daily.
According to him, breaking free from the addiction required intentional effort and a conscious decision to change his lifestyle.
Banky W also shared his own experience with addictive behaviours, revealing that he once struggled with pornography use while attempting to address issues around promiscuity. He said he initially believed replacing one behaviour with another would help him regain control.
However, he noted that the approach ultimately created a different form of dependency, highlighting the difficulty of managing addictive patterns without proper understanding or support.
On his part, Aproko Doctor explained that many harmful addictions are often linked to emotional escape mechanisms, where individuals seek relief from pain or stress through unhealthy habits.
He noted that human behaviour is often driven by two main impulses, avoiding pain and seeking pleasure, and that addiction frequently develops when these instincts are unchecked.
The discussion emphasised the importance of self-awareness, discipline, and emotional regulation as key tools in overcoming addiction and maintaining long-term behavioural change.
