Today early morning, when I was at temple an old person asked me about khaini i.e smokeless tobacco. People in our area is quite addicted to this form of tobacco. Khaini is a smokeless tobacco which people prefer to keep around their mouth and sipping the juice slowly. Using a pinch after meals, during work breaks, or first thing in the morning is regular habit. Many people are so addicted that they dont goes to loo, without putting this dry tobacco leaves into their mouth. Every individuals seems to be addicted to this form of tobacco. Sharing khaini is a common way for men to bond and welcome guests in rural areas. This is why the old fellow asked me. But I am not the one falling victim to this. It is very cheap and easy to carry compared to other tobacco products. It can be used quietly while working without needing fire or making smoke. On seeing me not having the khaini he was bit bemused. But I think I learned to get over any addiction in my life.
I have seen how my younger cousin too who lives in this area since childhood gets addicted to this substance nowadays. Earlier he used to avoid it. But the surrounding and his company of people made him to addicted to this form.of tobacco. I believe, people gets addicted to something when repeated use of a substance or behavior changes the brain's natural reward system. I have my own experience of addiction to munching indian snacks (Haldiram bhujia). I get so fond of it, that once I started munching it anytime during the day. Be it either breakfast, or lunch or evening snack or after dinner. The crave to eat something spicy made me fallen victim to this snack item. The situation was so terrible that weekly I end up munching 500 grams of its packet. It goes on for about 6-7 month. When i realised how I am deteriorating my health by getting addicted to the snack item. There are many reason that other people get addiction in their life. High stress, early childhood abuse, anxiety, or depression lead people to use substances as a way to cope with pain. In my case, it was the craving for spicy tangy taste that made me addicted.
Every day is a new choice.
There have been many argument over addiction. But in my personal opinion, being addicted to something is not a simple choice for an individual. Being personally gone through one such addiction and seeing other people I came to this conclusion. Addiction is a complex chronic brain disease, though an initial action to try a substance or behavior often begins with a voluntary decision. When I began munching the spicy snacks i started with with a small packet but ended up carrying 500 grams packet. The first time a person uses a substance or engages in an activity, it is usually a voluntary choice. Over time, repeated exposure alters brain chemistry, impairing the parts of the brain responsible for self-control, stress, and reward. Addictive substances flood the brain with dopamine, altering natural pathways and making it hard to feel pleasure or satisfaction from anything else. Once addiction takes hold, the intense craving overrides normal decision making process, making it a compelling medical disorder rather than a mere lack of willpower.
"It is never too late to mend"
As it being said in our daily life. It is never too late to start doing the right thing, fix a mistake, or change your life for the better. While becoming addicted is not a choice, choosing to enter treatment and rebuild personal agency plays a vital role in healing and long term recovery. I personally get over of my addiction in a very early time. Thanks to some self realization. Nobody told me about how bad it going to get over my health. But once I realised that eating the snack is my choice and there are many other option to satisfy my crave ultimately, I ended it for good.
In good faith - Peace!!
