Former Love Island contestant Adam Collard has opened up about his personal battles with addiction and a tough health diagnosis. The reality TV star said 2024 had been his hardest year yet as he opened up in a candid post on Instagram.
The reality TV personality received support from his pregnant fianceĢe Laura Woods as he encouraged others to seek help rather than suffer in silence. On the social media platform, the Geordie favourite posted several cards, starting with: “2024, the hardest year of my life.”
He acknowledged the positive posts he’d seen but reminded his followers that “if you’re struggling right now, remember that Instagram is a highlights reel, and if you’re struggling you aren’t alone.” Adam confessed that the past year had been “tougher than any before.
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He added: “Struggled with my mental health more than ever. Lost something important. Struggled with injuries. Suffered with addiction to painkillers and sleeping pills and justified it as ‘it doesn’t affect fitness’ or because it wasn’t booze.”
He also shared his experience with depression: “Got diagnosed with depression. Prescribed anti-depressants. Lost family. Drifted from certain friends. Tried to reach out to people and failed. Felt lost.”, reports the Mirror.
Despite the difficulties, the Love Island star expressed a sense of hope, pointing out that there were positives in his year and emphasising the power of resilience: “you are always strong enough to reframe things and change the outcome”, while noting that good things had happened to him in 2024.
“2024 was also the year I…started therapy and got over the feat of it,” he penned. “Travelled with people I love. Understood myself better and began to like me more. Reflected on things I’m proud of. Developed strong friendships. Made up with lost family. Proposed. Signed new contracts with brands I love. Went back on TV. Got rid of people holding me back. Built a bigger business. Found out I was going to be a dad. The highlight. Felt more love than ever.”
He concluded his heartfelt post with: “It isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. But if you feel like you’re losing everything, remember that trees lose their leaves every year, and they still stand tail and wait for better days to come. Stay strong. x”.
As numerous fans and followers engaged with likes and uplifting comments, his fiancee Laura Woods shared a loving reply, commenting: “Proud of you. You’re going to be the most amazing dad x.” Celebs Go Dating’s Anna Williamson also chimed in with support, saying: “Always always here for you Adam,” accompanied by a love heart emoji.