NAIROBI, KENYA – John Mwangi, a 65-year-old father of three, has been struggling with his sugar addiction for years. He loves to eat cakes, cookies, candies, and chocolates every day, despite his doctor’s warnings about his diabetes and high blood pressure. He says he can’t help it, because sugar makes him happy and gives him energy.
However, he is baffled by his 27-year-old son, David, who has a drinking problem. David often comes home drunk, misses work, and gets into fights with his girlfriend. John says he doesn’t understand why David can’t quit alcohol because it is bad for his health and his future.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with him,” John said. “He should just stop drinking and get his life together. It’s not that hard. He just needs some willpower and discipline.”
John said he has tried to help David by giving him advice, lecturing him, and threatening to kick him out of the house. But nothing seems to work. He said he is frustrated and disappointed by his son’s behavior.
“I raised him better than this,” John said. “He should be more responsible and mature. He should be more like me.”
John said he is not worried about his own sugar addiction, because he thinks it is harmless and normal. He said he doesn’t need to quit sugar, because he enjoys it and it doesn’t affect his life negatively.
“Sugar is not a problem for me,” John said. “It’s just a little treat that I deserve. It’s not like alcohol, which is a poison that ruins everything. I can quit sugar anytime I want. I just don’t want to.”
