How Addiction Sucks Your Life Away

A man engrossed in work on his laptop sits next to a woman in a cozy setting, accompanied by a smartphone and a cup of coffee.

Addiction doesn’t just steal your health, it quietly drains the colour from your life.

Whether it’s alcohol, gambling, drugs, or scrolling late into the night, addiction creeps in, reshaping your brain and priorities until everything else fades into the background.

At first, it can feel like relief or escape.

But over time, the brain’s reward system is hijacked. What once felt like a choice becomes a compulsion. Research shows that people struggling with addiction often experience a sharp drop in life satisfaction, not only in their health, but also in relationships, work, and overall sense of purpose (Christie, Vojvodic & Meda, 2021).

A large study of drug users in China found that their overall quality of life was lower than that of people living with many chronic illnesses, influenced by family environment, gender, and the type of substance used (Wan et al., 2022). Similar findings appear in New Zealand and internationally: addiction doesn’t only harm the body, it isolates people and erodes self-worth.

And it’s not just about drugs or alcohol. Behavioural addictions, explicit videos, online gaming, or even overwork, can have the same draining effect. One study of university students found that excessive internet use reduced life satisfaction through a loss of social support and connection (Ma, Li & Lee, 2025). Social media addiction also has been linked with loneliness and lower self-esteem (Chaddha et al., 2025).

Addiction feeds on itself. As self esteem drops, people are more likely to seek comfort in the very habits that harm them (Antona et al., 2024). Each relapse chips away at hope and confidence, making the road back harder. It’s a cycle that can leave people feeling hollow; alive, but not really living.

The phrase “sucks your life away” captures this perfectly. Addiction narrows your world. It replaces real joy with fleeting highs, genuine connection with dependence, and possibility with survival. Yet recovery is possible, and not just through abstinence. Research shows that rebuilding self-esteem, strengthening relationships, and creating small, steady sources of satisfaction are key to lasting change (Mao, Chou & D’Orsogna, 2024).

The good news? What’s been taken can be rebuilt. Healing from addiction means reclaiming what’s been lost, not just sobriety, but vitality, connection, and meaning.

Matthew from Resilience Coaching NZ is passionate about helping people reclaim their lives and experienced in helping people rebuild what addiction has taken away. Book a time with him today to take your first step towards lasting change.

References

Christie, N. C., Vojvodic, V., & Meda, P. (2021).

Frontiers in Psychiatry.Wan, C., Fang, J., Jiang, R., et al. (2022).

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. Ma, T., Li, J., & Lee, C. S. (2025).

Frontiers in Psychology.Chaddha, L., Sharma, P., Kaur, R., et al. (2025).

Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.Antona, C. J., Antón-Sancho, Á., & Vergara, D. (2024). Psychology International. Mao, S., Chou, T., & D’Orsogna, M. (2024). arXiv.