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How Nicky Jam’s Honesty About His Personal Struggles with Alcoholism and Mental Health Issues Can Inspire Latino Men to Face Their Own 

How Nicky Jam's Honesty About His Personal Struggles with Alcoholism and Mental Health Issues Can Inspire Latino Men to Face Their Own 
Credit: Instagram/ @nickyjam

Nicky Jam, a name synonymous with reggaeton’s global rise, finds himself grappling with a darker reality beneath the spotlight. Recently married to Juana Varón, the artist’s personal life has taken an unexpected turn, and not for the better. His candid confession on Jay Shetty’s “On Purpose Podcast” revealed a battle he thought he had long left behind —alcoholism. Despite being clean from drug addiction for over 15 years, Nicky Jam admitted that his struggle with alcohol has resurfaced, causing waves in both his career and personal life. 

The singer, known for hits like “Travesuras,” spoke openly about the anxiety that quitting alcohol brings. To cope, he turned to marijuana. “I’ve been dealing with alcoholism over the past year, for some reason, the past comes back and people have seen it,” Nicky Jam confessed. His words carried a deep vulnerability, as he acknowledged that this fight against alcohol has led to significant personal challenges, including moments of doubt about his future in music. “It affects me in such a way that I said I was going to retire, and it’s a lie, I’m not going to retire, and I never will,” he clarified. The artist even admitted to posting a video, edited under the influence, in which he falsely announced his retirement. 

This isn’t the first time Nicky Jam has opened up about his struggles. In 2018, he released his biographical series “Nicky Jam: El Ganador,” where he recounted his rise to international fame and how he overcame his addiction to drugs. His recent admission on Shetty’s podcast highlights that while he may have beaten one demon, another has reappeared, challenging him in new ways. 

Nicky Jam didn’t shy away from discussing how his battle with addiction impacts his day-to-day life. “I’ve been fighting this for a couple of years. I have my days where I go crazy; five or six days. To be honest, today I smoked marijuana because I’m dealing with the anxiety of not drinking,” he shared, painting a raw picture of the internal struggle that contrasts sharply with his public persona as a music star. 

Nicky Jam Is Among Many Other Latino Men Struggling

The reggaetonero’s struggles reflect broader issues within the Latino community. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, about 1 in 10 Latinos will face alcohol dependence at some point in their lives. Additionally, research shows that nearly 10 percent of Latinos need treatment for substance use disorder (SUD), compared to closer to 9 percent of the general population. However, the stark reality is that only 9 percent of Latinos receive the treatment they need, as opposed to 10.5 percent of the general public. National estimates from the National Institutes of Health suggest that just 3-12 percent of Latinos with SUD seek help — a gap that highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing addiction within the community. 

Adding to the complexity of his personal life, last month, Nicky Jam made another revealing statement — this time about his relationships with women. “I’m addicted to women,” he admitted. “It’s the most beautiful thing God created… even when I’m in the studio recording music, it’s the best thing in the world. I love women, and there’s no partner of mine who doesn’t know that,” he remarked.  

It is admirable that a Latino with such a big platform is opening up about his vulnerabilities. May this inspire other Latino men to be honest with themselves and seek the support they need. His honesty, however raw, highlights the ongoing journey of recovery — one that doesn’t always have a clear finish line. As for now, let’s all hope Nicky Jam continues his own path of healing.  

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