A function addict

**Chapter 1: The Routine**

Maya woke to the familiar hum of the city outside her window. The sun barely broke through the grime, casting a dull light across her cramped apartment. She rubbed her eyes, the familiar ache in her head reminding her of last night’s indulgence. She glanced at the clock: 7:15 AM. Time to get moving.

Her day began with a ritual that had become second nature: coffee, a cigarette, and a hit. She measured the powder meticulously, every grain an intimate part of her morning. The rush coursed through her like a well-rehearsed dance, easing the edges of her anxiety. For a moment, she felt alive, ready to conquer the day.

Maya was a high-functioning addict. By day, she was a marketing executive at a prestigious firm, known for her sharp mind and relentless drive. By night, she sought solace in her vices, blurring the lines between her work and personal life. Most colleagues had no idea about the demons she wrestled with. She wore her mask well.

**Chapter 2: The Office**

The office buzzed with energy as Maya entered, her heels clicking confidently against the polished floor. She greeted her coworkers with a bright smile, the kind that melted away suspicion.

“Maya, you’re a lifesaver! Can you help with the presentation?” asked Tom, her colleague.

“Of course,” she replied, pushing aside the weight of her lingering hangover.

The presentation was a massive project for a client that could make or break their quarter. Maya dove in, her mind sharpening as she engaged in brainstorming sessions and strategy meetings. Adrenaline mixed with the remnants of her morning hit, creating a cocktail of clarity and focus.

As the day dragged on, she felt the familiar twinge of withdrawal creeping in. She excused herself to the restroom, where she could momentarily escape reality. In the small, fluorescent-lit stall, she took another hit. Just a quick boost, she thought. Just enough to make it through.

**Chapter 3: The Descent**

By evening, the thrill of the day began to wear off. Maya stood in front of her bathroom mirror, applying a fresh coat of lipstick, her reflection betraying the fatigue beneath her polished exterior. She felt the walls of her life closing in, a claustrophobic awareness that her double life was unsustainable.

At the bar that night, the atmosphere was vibrant, filled with laughter and music. Maya’s friends welcomed her with open arms, unaware of the turmoil beneath her confident facade. She clinked glasses and shared jokes, but as the night wore on, the laughter faded into a dull echo. The weight of her addiction was heavy on her shoulders.

“Maya, you alright?” asked Sarah, her closest friend, noticing her distant gaze.

“Yeah, just tired. Work’s been intense,” she replied, forcing a smile.

In the solitude of her apartment later that night, Maya sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the pile of empty bottles. The remnants of her choices loomed like shadows, whispering reminders of her slipping control. Yet the thought of quitting felt insurmountable. She had built her life around her habits; to dismantle it now was unthinkable.

**Chapter 4: The Breaking Point**

Weeks turned into months, and the routine continued to spiral. Maya found herself increasingly isolated, friends drifting away as her nights became darker. Work was still her sanctuary, but even that was starting to fray. She missed deadlines, her once-spotless reputation beginning to tarnish.

One night, while out with clients, she overstepped—her words slurred, her thoughts disjointed. The look of disappointment on Tom’s face was enough to jolt her into a moment of clarity. She staggered home, heart pounding with fear. What if they found out? What if she lost everything?

In the following days, the anxiety manifested into a full-blown panic. She could feel the walls closing in, every corner of her life echoing her failures. Desperate, she turned to the one thing she thought would provide solace—more.

**Chapter 5: The Confrontation**

It was a Wednesday when Sarah confronted her. They sat in Maya’s living room, the silence heavy with unspoken words.

“Maya, I’m worried about you,” Sarah said, her voice trembling slightly. “I know something’s wrong. You can talk to me.”

Maya’s defenses went up. “I’m fine. Just busy. Work is crazy, you know how it is.”

“No, it’s more than that,” Sarah pressed. “I’ve seen you slip away. I’m scared you’re going to lose everything.”

The floodgates opened, and Maya felt tears spill over. “I can’t stop, Sarah. I don’t know how. It’s the only thing that keeps me going.”

The truth hung in the air, thick and suffocating. For the first time, Maya saw herself through another’s eyes—a broken, desperate version she had tried to ignore.

**Chapter 6: The Choice**

The following weeks were a blur of therapy sessions and awkward conversations. Maya struggled, grappling with the discomfort of facing her addiction head-on. There were days she felt empowered, days she felt lost.

Maya’s world began to shift, slowly but deliberately. The chaos of her life didn’t vanish overnight, but she found small victories in daily routines. Morning coffee was now just coffee, and nights were filled with books rather than substances. She learned to confront her anxiety instead of numbing it.

One evening, after a long day, she stood at her window, gazing out at the city she had once used as an escape. The lights twinkled like distant stars, reminding her of her journey ahead. There was still uncertainty, but for the first time in a long while, she felt a glimmer of hope.

**Epilogue: The New Normal**

Months later, Maya sat in a coffee shop, a journal open in front of her. She sipped her drink, savoring the moment without the need for an escape. She was learning to navigate life without the crutch of addiction.

Sarah joined her, a warm smile on her face. “You look different,” she said, sliding into the chair across from her.

“I feel different,” Maya replied, her voice steady. “I’m still working on it, but I’m trying.”

And for the first time, she believed it. Life was no longer a series of escapes; it was a path filled with challenges, yes, but also possibilities. Maya was ready to embrace it all.