This archive report was first published on 20 June 2020.
Vanessa Mdee, a 32-year-old Tanzanian artiste, has shared her harrowing story of addiction in her podcast, Deep Dive with Vanessa Mdee.
According to Mdee, alcohol had become an all-consuming force in her life, leaving her feeling like a robot going through the motions.
She described her life as a 'routine' marked by anxiety and depression, with moments of fleeting happiness that only served to make her feel more disconnected from reality.
'I became a person of horrible choices. I COULDN'T recognize myself anymore because I woke up every day trying to just get by and I don't want to just get by anymore.'
Mdee revealed that she had been hiding her addiction from the world, living a lie that was slowly suffocating her.
'I hid it so well but I was depressed and an alcoholic. This is my truth and me letting you into this space because I don't want to live a candy-coated life anymore.'
Her candid confession is a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of addiction and the importance of seeking help.
