When does a habit become an addiction?

Initially, I thought he was licking his fingers as that was what first drew my attention to him, which eventually distracted me totally from listening to the sermon. At the end of service, out of curiosity, I followed the child closely to see if he would continue with his odd habit; of course, he didn’t disappoint me. I also realised he has chewed off almost all of his nails right to the skin on his fingers.
This got me thinking, why should he chew his nails? Is it a habit or an addiction? Why couldn’t he stop, after the effort of his mum to stop him? When is a habit an addiction? According to Wikipedia “addiction is a state that is characterised by compulsive drug use or compulsive engagement in rewarding behavior, despite adverse consequences. Addiction can also be defined as a chronic brain disease or a terminal illness.”
Specialists say potential addictions can include, but are not limited to, drug abuse, exercise addiction, food addiction, computer addiction and gambling.” Life Extra spoke with a cross section of people to feel their pulse on what they think of habits and when they become addictions.
Jonah Osogba, a student of Delta State University, opines that: “I don’t think it is when you are on drugs or when you excessively take alcohol that is when you are an addict. I know of a girl in my school who can’t do without making her face up, this might sound funny to you but it is the truth. She virtually goes to bed wearing makeup, when you see her early in the morning, she’s with make up on her face, I don’t know what that means but I see it as an addiction. I remember even asking her why she can’t go natural at times and she replied she loves making up and can’t do without it. I see an addiction not only as being a mental problem but also something that has to do with your behavioral attributes.”
Loveth Ononamadu, an architect, is of the view that: “A habit is a practise that is constant and hard to give up, while an addiction is when you are used to something that now works in correlation with your body system, this needs the immediate help of a psychologist and loved ones to help in curtailing it. But notwithstanding, there are some habits which if not properly handled can lead to addictions. A habit can be stopped, it is associated with choice and a strong will to stop, but an addiction takes control over you and your capability to stop and have control of yourself.”
Larry Ufuoma, a student on industrial training in Abuja,notes that: “These days addictions are not limited to drugs, food or other substances, now you see people being addicted to funny things. I read online about a lady who is addicted to eating the cracks from her house wall. Back then that might not be seen as an addiction but it is and may even have health repercussions if not duly attended too. I have also seen someone who likes eating foam; it started as child’s play and continued into adulthood, which has now become an addiction.So, I see addiction as something that grows if not curtailed no matter how strange or funny it maybe.”
For Victory Andrew, an undergraduate of the Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, a habit becomes an addiction when it is not contained and stopped atan early stage when it is first noticed. He cites the example of the teenager in question. “A child might have the habit of taking what is not his, if not stopped at the early age when it started, he might grow up and get addicted to stealing,” Andrew explains.
“When I was in primary school, I used to have the habit of eating chalk; I went as far as going to other classes to pick chalk. There was even a time I searched through my teachers drawer for chalk, she caught me and thought I wanted to steal but when I told her I was searching for chalk I wanted to eat, she got concerned and told my parents about it. Immediately my parents sprung to action and made sure I stopped eating it. Then it was a habit but if not quickly stopped by my parents, it would have turned to an addiction,” Andrew adds.
Miller, Forchimes and Zweden note in an article published in 2011 that:‘The psychological cause of addiction’that: “The psychopathological model sees mental disorders as the cause of addiction. These disorders might include cognitive difficulties, mood disturbances, and other mental illnesses. In fact, addiction and other mental health disorders commonly occur together (called co-morbidity). Roughly, half of the people seeking addiction treatment will also have another significant mental disorder.”
They add that: “Related to psychopathology is the concept of an addictive personality. Certain personality characteristics might be the underlying factors in all addictive disorders. These may include the denial of obvious problems, problems with emotional regulation, and problems with impulse regulation. There isn’t sufficient evidence to suggest an “addictive personality” per se. However, addiction does most frequently co-occur with a class of disorders called personality disorders.”