Your Mental Health is Essential - Ariel 20 years

"Freedom has come."
I was raised in a very religious family; therefore, being around the lousy company of friends was forbidden. When I got admission to campus, I immediately joined the music club because of the passion I had for it, which is the only significant activity I was part of outside of the classes I was to attend. I wanted to be an average child and experience everyday things like other teenagers; I was already 18 years and to spice it all up, away from home and my parents. I was happy and used to tell myself, "Freedom has come".

Exploration and Peer pressure
On Friday, after a music rehearsal, I was called by one of my friends who was not part of the music club. "Hey, kuna form leo, tupatane base yetu?" He said. That's how I found myself attending a house party  where I took alcohol and other drugs; I am ashamed to admit. I took my first shot, and it wasn't enjoyable. People at the party hyped me to try again, and I managed to take five shots of alcohol. I was so drunk and talked too much.

The negligence after addiction
Sheree Sheria was the notion everyday; this was the life I had chosen for myself. I drank the whole week to the point of not tracing my way home. I had become addicted to alcohol, and my life changed. I neglected my education; I missed classes and exams and even forgot to register for my units. My parents sent me school fees; I would use them for partying instead. Alcohol affected my mental stability. After joining the university, I developed health issues and neglected everything I wanted to achieve. I felt ashamed; I started isolating myself from others and could not even attend music rehearsals, the thing I once loved the most. I became a loner.

Friends come to my rescue.
The music team came to my rescue after noticing my absenteeism. They empowered me, and I got back on my feet. I want to tell people there is no joy in alcohol, and prioritizing your mental health is essential. They connected me to a professional psychologist, and I have been on the mend since. Some days are more complicated than others because I still have the urge but some days, I do not even think of alcohol. Some important lessons I have learned along the way are that the desire does not stop; it reduces. This also depends on the person. I would not have been able to do something else alone, I need people, and I am glad I have people I can rely on for this