A very interesting experiment transpired in the 1970’s by Bruce Alexander. He is a psychologist and professor emeritus from Vancouver, BC, Canada. He has taught and conducted research on the psychology of addiction at Simon Fraser University since 1970. He retired from active teaching in 2005
He initiated by putting a rat in a simple cage with two water bottles- one with regular water, and the other with water laced with heroin. The rat immediately preferred the drug-infused water and overdosed, killing itself.
The professor then changed the parameters by replacing the simple cage with what is essentially a called a rat park. He filled it with cheese, colored balls, and crucially, other rats with which a rat can be friends. The thought-provoking result was that none of the rats in this rat park liked the drug-infused water. They rarely used it; none had overdosed. From 100 percent overdose during isolation to zero percent overdoses in a connected community- interesting, right?
A relatively similar result was recorded in a study to humans after the Vietnam War. In Portugal, the government following the guidance of doctors to focus on reconnecting addicts to society instead of detaching them and observed remarkable realization. Author Johan Hari said, “The opposite of addiction is not sobriety; the opposite of addiction is connection.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled most people to seclusion. I perceive addiction in many forms now- drugs, alcohol, social media, buying plants, baking, overworking, technology, or online shopping. Significantly, as teacher, I have observed many students being badly affected by this pandemic. They felt that with this new normal of education, they are also being taken away from learning and continuing their dreams. The limitations brought about by the current situation have made them felt disconnected, hence teachers must exert extra big effort to reach out and connect to students, so they will feel our concern, love and trust in them. Let us make great connections to our students in any possible way we can and even above our limitations.
These researches and realities have proven that the solution is in communication and connection. Let us make great connections to our students in any possible way we can and even above our limitations.
By: Lhannie L. Ubungen |Junior High School Teacher III| Sta. Rita High School Olongapo City
