In a startling revelation, a British man developed an addiction to nasal sprays, a story that has since captured significant attention online. The incident came to light when Curtis Arnold-Harmer, a 28-year-old sound designer and musician, shared his experience. Five years ago, Harmer suffered from a cold and purchased a nasal spray costing Rs 600 to alleviate his symptoms. While he initially used it to treat his cold, little did anyone know that it would lead to such a severe addiction.
Over the past two years, Harmer spent nearly Rs 10 lakh on nasal sprays. As his dependency grew, his nose began to feel as though it were clogged with concrete-like blocks, resembling the condition of those who have suffered from prolonged cocaine use.
During an interview, Harmer recalled his first visit to a nose specialist, where the doctor’s initial question stunned him. The doctor asked how often Harmer used cocaine. Upon examining Harmer’s nose, the doctor remarked that it resembled someone who had been using cocaine twice a week since turning 18. Harmer clarified that he had never used drugs but had been battling a persistent cold, which left him struggling to breathe.
He also feared sleeping, as his nose frequently became blocked at night. He turned to nasal sprays to cope, eventually becoming dependent on them. He carried the spray everywhere and used it whenever he felt his breathing was compromised. Despite the warning on the medication’s label, advising against use for more than seven days, Harmer used the spray around 50 times daily.
In a similarly bizarre incident, a boy from Motihari, Bihar, narrowly survived after swallowing various metal objects, including a set of keys, two nail cutters, and a knife. His addiction to social media and online gaming led him to these extreme actions. When taken to the doctor, sonography and ultrasound tests revealed several metal items in his stomach. Despite swallowing these dangerous objects, the boy remarkably remained unharmed.
Both cases highlight the extreme behaviors people can develop due to addiction, whether to medication or digital platforms.