Addiction brings enough pain on its own — but when your story is dragged into the spotlight, it can feel like you're breaking all over again, in front of the world.

When my struggle with gambling became public, and I was placed on home detention, the media attention was relentless. I felt exposed, ashamed, and overwhelmed. It was one of the lowest points in my life, and honestly, there were moments I didn’t think I could carry on.

One of the best things I did during that time was remove myself from social media for a couple of months. That break gave me room to breathe, to feel, and to begin healing — without the constant noise of public opinion.

During that time, I learned a few things that helped me stay afloat — and eventually find my footing again.

How I Navigated the Media Storm

• Focus on What You Can Control: I couldn’t control what the media said, but I could control how I responded — by choosing recovery over reaction, and growth over guilt.

• Set Boundaries: I made the mistake of reading the article about me and all the comments. It hurt — deeply. After that, I stepped away from social media completely. I stopped giving strangers the power to shape how I saw myself.

• Use Healthy Distractions: Distraction became a lifeline. I turned to paint-by-numbers and writing to ease my mind and give myself something peaceful to focus on.

• Lean on Support: I leaned into people who understood — trusted friends, counselors, and recovery groups. I didn’t need advice, just a space where I wasn’t judged.

• Own Your Narrative: When I was ready, I started writing. I’ve written a book and launched this blog to share my experience, not out of shame — but as a way to take back my story and help others reclaim theirs.

• Practice Self-Compassion: I reminded myself, over and over, that addiction is a health issue — not a failure of character. Healing began when I stopped punishing myself and started offering grace instead.

“There were nights I cried just from reading strangers’ comments. But healing started the moment I chose to stop letting others write my story.”

Why I’m Sharing This

I want you to know: if you’re going through something similar, you are not alone.

The shame can feel suffocating. The media coverage can be cruel. But your life is more than a headline, and your past doesn’t define your future.

If you’re dealing with media attention because of addiction — please believe me: you can get through this. You can rebuild. You can become someone stronger, wiser, and more grounded than you ever imagined.