“Not all wounds are visible. And not all cries for help are loud.”
Every day, countless young people are fighting a silent battle — battling anxiety within and using drugs without. The pressure to succeed, to belong, to be “okay”… it’s overwhelming. And when the mind feels too loud, many turn to drugs to mute the noise.
But what starts as “just something to take the edge off” slowly becomes a dangerous dependence. Anxiety doesn’t go away — it just hides behind a high.
💬 Why This Matters
Young people are often taught to be strong — but not always taught how to seek help. So instead of therapy, they find codeine. Instead of counseling, they find cannabis. Instead of comfort, they find addiction.
The result? A worsening cycle:
- Anxiety leads to drug use
- Drug use increases anxiety, panic, and paranoia
- More drugs are taken to cope again
- And the silent battle grows darker
“I didn’t know how to explain what I felt — so I ran to what numbed it.”
Let’s Be the Difference
- Notice the quiet ones. They might be struggling the most.
- Talk about mental health. Normalize asking for help.
- Create safe spaces. Where tears are welcome, and shame is not.
- Encourage therapy over toxicity. Healing over hiding.
No one should suffer in silence — or fight their battles alone.
About Clever Akanimoh
Clever Akanimoh is a Biochemistry graduate of University of Uyo. He is the President WADA - War Against Drug Abuse CDS Lokoja.