Many of us are familiar with Joey Sasso from our favourite American reality TV shows. In 2020, he achieved significant popularity by winning the first season of the Netflix series The Circle.
However, that is not going to be the topic of this article. I have found immense inspiration in Joey throughout the past few months and have thus gotten in touch with him directly. I trusted my gut when I said that this man has a story to tell, and his kindness and openness reinforced that belief.
And let me tell you that his accomplishments outside of the industry are far more remarkable than his career achievements.
New Surroundings
Originally from Rochester, New York, Joey moved to Los Angeles to follow his career and life goals. Sadly, he felt his own demons steadily creeping up on him as he went through the process of overcoming the enormous pressure that comes with trying to break into the industry at a young age.
It is difficult for your brain and body to function properly due to the constant emotions of rejection and confusion that will exacerbate your anxiety.
Industry Toxicity
It is well-known at this point how harmful the industry culture can be. Many renowned people have lost their lives while attempting to stay on top of their game, never relaxing, attending every party, and never declining a drink or worse.
In a similar vein, Joey has been in situations where he felt compelled to attend parties where alcohol was easily accessible and, even worse, being drunk was and still is considered normal and ‘cool’ by society.
Attending those events seemed like a great method for someone as driven as Joey to build relationships and links with people, but this diverted his focus from an issue progressively infiltrating his life. An issue, that was slowly but surely poisoning his body and his mind.
Who can I trust?
Feelings of isolation were common experiences for Joey after moving to Los Angeles and thus being far away from his family and friends. He found solace in the industry’s parties, embracing them as a means to overcome his negative emotions and connect with others.
People who move to a different country or state because they think it will make them feel better or give them more chances in life often find that there is no one they can really trust to hold them when things get tough.
Escalation
Joey has been very open about his inner conflicts.
Putting your challenges and struggles out there and letting people point their fingers at you in criticism requires a lot of strength and confidence.
What began as casual drinking as a way to network and break into the industry has progressively become a major issue. He’s been turning to alcohol at an unprecedented rate and in far greater quantities than ever before.
For Joey, a party without being drunk was no longer a party at all.
He lost his balance and started to spiral.
Realisation
Now that we have gained insight into the factors that contributed to his personal struggles, let’s explore how he overcame them and how we can do the same.
Addiction affects many people in a variety of ways. Even excessive, unhealthy use of social media can be considered an addiction. It often goes unnoticed by many people until they find themselves deeply entangled in the grip of this illness.
An addiction can be defined as anything that deprives a person of their own control and replaces it with extreme urges and anxiety when certain needs aren’t met immediately.
In an interview with Doctor Mike, Joey describes that it all became clear to him whenever he tried to take a break. His thoughts became restless right away, and he had the strong urge to head out rather than unwind. If you find yourself experiencing the same, it may be a sign that you have strayed from healthy habits and are seeking excitement in external distractions, rather than taking time for self-reflection.
When you reach a point where you no longer find joy in your own company, it’s important to take a moment to reflect and consider making some changes in your life.
– How Netflix Reality TV Almost Broke Joey Sasso –
I was a struggling actor in L.A., slinging drinks, trying to get by, and was severely depressed in my personal life. I knew if I didn’t get clean, I was going to die. And if I were to relapse, I’m going to die. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when…
joey sasso
A Dangerous Combination
Depression and Addiction
Joey has also admitted to battling severe depression. According to him, he was ‘popping pills’ and drinking in order to cope with the incredible amount of pressure and misery he was experiencing at this difficult time.
He remarked that even if you see someone working out every day and being highly dedicated to their personal routine – may it be the gym, their careers or something entirely different – , it does not necessarily mean that this person genuinely leads a happy and healthy lifestyle.
It’s impossible to know the struggles and challenges other people are facing.
What they want you to see is all they’ll show you.
A Journey to Recovery
The following tips are inspired by Joey, who has successfully achieved sobriety and is now enjoying a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
COUNSELING
Joey believes in the benefits of therapy and he has openly expressed the positive impact it had on him. He also keeps on encouraging others to accept help and support without the feelings of shame and guilt.
Certain issues can feel nearly impossible to solve on your own, and going to therapy can provide a way out of a challenging and disheartening situation.
There is no need to feel shame in desiring to live a more fulfilling life and striving to become the best version of yourself. Strength like this deserves acknowledgement and praise.
SUPPORT SYSTEM
Joey talked about how important it is for people to accept him for who he is and the problems he faces without judging him. He was wonderfully supported by his family and closest friends during his difficult recovery.
It’s tremendously challenging to remain dedicated when the temptation to relapse is high, and a lot of people all around the world continue to succumb to their addictive behaviours.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to your family and closest friends for a heartfelt conversation. If you believe they will offer their support, love, understanding, and encouragement, they will be significant on your journey to recovery.
Embrace openness and you’ll discover that even in moments when you felt isolated and without support, there are countless individuals ready to stand by your side once they understand the situation.
Don’t lose hope if you haven’t found the support system you desire. You can also recover even without the support of other people.
Remember that your faith will always be with you, even when it seems like nobody else is.
SELF-AWARENESS
In order to properly deal with addiction, it is necessary to be honest with yourself about the issues at hand.
This self-reflection will pave the way for finding an effective solution.
Joey realised that his addiction issues had become unmanageable and he needed to confront the reasons for falling into this trap in the first place.
Ask yourself why you have the urge to act on particular impulses.
Are you unhappy with particular circumstances you are in right now?
Do you find it challenging to feel confident about yourself?
….
Identify the cause so you may take action.
AVOID SITUATIONS THAT MAY SET OFF TRIGGERS
Once you have gained a deeper understanding of the factors behind your urges and the reasons for falling into the trap in the first place, it is absolutely critical, without ANY exceptions, to distance yourself from situations that could trigger your addiction.
If you are on a journey to overcome a drinking problem, it is important to avoid going to parties and purchasing alcohol (even if it is intended for friends and family). Nothing, not even alcohol-infused chocolate, belongs in your home at this point.
This holds true for all forms of addiction ➪ Avoid bringing anything into your home that might trigger unwanted urges or tempting situations.
Keep your distance from everyone who isn’t supportive of your recovery process and stay out of circumstances that have previously triggered you into unhealthy and dangerous behaviours.
Spread Some Love
Enjoy Joey Sasso’s film on Amazon Prime
Final Thoughts
Because of the wide range of ways in which it impacts people, approaching this topic proved challenging.
Although it is a very delicate subject, there are fortunately individuals like Joey who support open communication and extend a hand to others to share their own experiences and struggles.
We are all just human, and it is okay and totally normal to struggle, ask for help, cry, and feel lost and helpless at times. As such, there is no shame or judgement in this space.
Rest assured that you are never alone in dealing with your inner demons.
Joey and many others are dedicated to eradicating the stigma surrounding addiction and emphasising the significance of being open about your experiences and seeking help and support for one’s recovery.
Comments that devalue mental illness or similar conditions will be deleted as they are completely inappropriate, extremely offensive and not tolerated on this website.
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