Addressing addictions (2)

BY PRISCILLA CHRISTOPHER

In the previous edition of this piece, the concept of addiction was analysed and defined as a  great interest in a particular thing to which a lot of time is devoted. A state of physiological or psychological dependence on a potentially harmful act or habit. Addictions are habits we find ourselves indulging in without being duly conscious of. They are attitudes we put on that apparently stand out no matter how much we try to hide them. It is an excessive involvement in a particular act which renders the performer incomplete or dissatisfied when they are unable to carry out the act as at when due. It is in summary, an unstoppable interest developed for an action for which one is always noted for.

As established previously, addictions, like habits, could either be negative or positive but this piece and the previous, addresses negative addictions because they are more developed and showcased in the society than the positive ones. And aside that, the positive addictions do not have adverse effects on their addicts as much as the negative addiction does. For instance, one who is committed to punctuality, truthfulness, honesty, godliness, cleanliness, showing respect and the likes does no harm to his/her body system, the immediate environment and society at large. Rather, they tend to spread an aura of rightful living and goodliness to those they come in contact with. They are models wherever they find themselves whereas; those obsessed with negative things, actions and behaviours like stealing, prostitution, armed-robbery, lies, deceit, false witnessing, gossiping, heavy drinking, recklessness, disrespect for and abuse of the rights of others and so on, cause damage to their emotional, physical, mental and psychological health as well as that of others. This accounts for the increasing number of mentally deranged men and women on our streets. A number of them now suffer the result of their negative addictions of donkey years. This is one of the lifetime consequences of negative addiction traceable to smoking and hard-drugging.
 Addiction somehow begins from infancy and becomes rooted when the addict becomes an adult.  From childhood, certain habits are birthed and if uncontrolled by parents or guardians, they become strong addictions in the future. The issue of verbal abuse which was mentioned on Tuesday does not just emerge; it begins with a knack for excessive and un-necessary talks which are common to children. Thus, a huge percentage of children with such traits end up becoming strong verbal abusers and saucy adults if untamed. With this addiction, it is impossible to stop an overgrown talkative from ‘performing’ when it is due. It is therefore important that parents watch and trim their children’s excesses without any iota of fear or favour.  
One addiction common to children is that of television viewing, online and internet games which they take so much interest in at the expense of their domestic and academic work. If given the freedom, children can stay glued to their television screen, game pads and mouse from morning up until evening, not minding the toll it will have on them academically, domestically, physically and otherwise. Of a fact, television and game addiction are core reasons for children’s gross misconduct in the home, school and everywhere. From their seemingly unbecoming behaviours to lack of concentration in school, strange attitudes, forgetful and lazy habits; children are influenced by what they see their virtual friends do and their peers as well. When they are left alone to their comfort, it goes on to become a culture in their lives and eventually, an addiction brewing many negative consequences.
Not only in children is addiction found. Among youths and adults, and in certain institutions, there exist people with very strong addictions capable of landing them in big trouble. Many are addicted to flouting and breaching rules and regulations without regard for law and order; while others have developed audacity for inglorious feats. For instance in higher institutions of learning where examination malpractice is prohibited, there are still students who are pathological cheats and would never write any examination or test without an ‘expo’ on it. Without mincing words, examination malpractice is an addiction long groomed. Before one can emerge a conscienceless examination thief, despite strict formal and informal warning, such must have long acquired training of how to do it smartly and yet, unnoticed. It may probably begin with stretching of the neck to ‘giraffing’, looking backwards and sideways, and asking questions in low tones. Subsequently, it grows into scribbling on covered body parts like the upper knees, palms, arms and the legs. Soon it gets to writing on small pieces of paper, micro-chipping and more. Having gotten used to carrying ‘expo’, many students lose confidence in their ability to read, understand and write exams unaided. Even when they can do well, they feel they won’t be better off if they do not ‘carry’. It goes on to say that addictions of this sort are damaging and detrimental and should therefore be resisted.
Another negative addiction common to all working environment though, is lateness. The inability to report for work before or on time. This is perhaps, one of the worse addictions known to man. Punctuality they say, is the soul of business and anyone who finds it difficult to come to terms with this will probably never make a good business person or key into the vision of any organization. In many ministries, departments and organizations, workers report and dismiss from work long after stipulated time but sign something far from the truth. Public lectures and seminars are started long behind time due to lateness of participants; students and lecturers alike attend classes late, and even in churches, the story is not different. People do not feel any discomfort turning up for service 1 or 2 hours after start-time. This often results in relieve of appointment in organizations, embarrassments and the likes yet, the increase in lateness continues. ‘African Time’ seems to be having its firm grip on Nigerians that it’s almost impossible it will go. Nevertheless, it will if we so desire. It pays to be punctual because the early proverbial birds catch the worm. 
Another addiction similar to the above-mentioned one is laziness to work. In a difficult society as this, it is imperative for every adult to fend for his/herself in their little way. The days of leaning on another person’s arms are long gone and there seem to be no more helpers as before. ‘Industrious’ is now the word on every lips because no one is ready to have a liability for a husband or wife but unfortunately, some people are yet, addicted to laziness and sluggishness. Laziness becomes an addiction when a person repeatedly is guilty of not being able to manage available resources or is not able to perform creditably well in any assignment given to him/her. Many lazy addicts do not even welcome the idea of working but appreciate it when they are at the receiving end. This attitude makes them ever receivers, never givers and inexperienced as far as life’s problems are concerned.
Negative addictions are numerous, destructive and dangerous. Substantially they crave the addict’s dependence and attitudinally, they crave for obsession. When mastered by the addict, certain attributes are portrayed in public without fear or consciousness of public eyes. For our good and that of our loved ones and the society at large, we should rather be positively addicted rather than being negatively influenced and addicted