Nigerian media personality and Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, has opened up about his 13-year battle with smoking and how he finally gave it up on purpose.

According to the 43-year-old “Rubbin’ Minds” anchor, he started smoking in Junior Secondary School, in class 3.

Speaking in a recent episode of the MENtality podcast featuring Banky W and Aproko Doctor, Ebuka claims that during his time in college, when he smoked up to two packs of cigarettes a day, the habit got worse.

He attributed his recovery from the addiction to deliberate, conscientious actions.

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“But I started smoking in JSS 3, and I smoked for 13 years. In university, I was doing about two packs a day,” he said.

Correspondingly, Banky W said in a personal story that he became addicted to porn while attempting to give up promiscuity.

He clarified that at first, he saw it as a means of avoiding relationships with other women, but later understood he had substituted one bad behaviour with another.

Ebuka concurred, pointing out that a lot of people trade one addiction for another in an effort to get rid of the first.

However, Aproko Doctor speaks on the psychology of addiction, pointing out that people frequently form harmful habits in an effort to avoid suffering.

He clarified that substance abuse and other addictions are frequently coping methods for challenging emotions or situations, and that human conduct is primarily motivated by avoiding pain and pursuing pleasure.

The three of them emphasised self-regulation and self-awareness as key tools for identifying and overcoming negative addictions.