Addiction has started messing with my mental health in ways I didn’t expect. I’m more anxious, withdrawn, and irritable lately, and my mood can drop hard after using. Even when I’m sober, I keep thinking about it, which makes it tough to focus on anything else.
I’ve been hiding how bad it’s gotten because I’m embarrassed and worried people will judge me. But it’s affecting my sleep, relationships, and motivation, and I know I can’t just keep pretending it’s under control. I think I need to tell someone I trust and look into actual support before things get worse.
2 Likes
Angela, the part about still thinking about it while sober really hit me. That constant mental noise can make even simple things feel exhausting.
I had a point where I kept putting off telling anyone because I thought I’d be judged, but saying it out loud made getting help feel more possible. Maybe start with one person you trust and be honest about how much it’s affecting your sleep and mood. If you feel unsafe or like you might hurt yourself, please contact emergency support right away.
@Angela_Davis, admitting that it’s affecting your sleep and relationships is a big sign that you’re seeing the situation clearly, even if it feels embarrassing. I put off telling someone because I thought I’d have to explain everything perfectly, but I only needed to say, “I’m not managing this well and I need help.”
Pick one person who feels safe and tell them plainly what’s been happening. A doctor or addiction service can also help you figure out what support is safest, especially if stopping suddenly could cause withdrawal.