Lola Young finally opens up about the reason behind her break from music.
In a new interview with Rolling Stone released on March 11, the British singer-songwriter reflected on the addiction and mental health struggles that led to her shocking collapse on stage at All Things Go Festival last year, followed by her checking herself into a facility.
As Young’s popularity soared after her breakout hit Messy, the pressures of constant interviews, promotions and appearances began to collide with her ongoing battle with addiction and her schizoaffective disorder.
“You want to say yes to everything,” she reflected. “When someone is going through addiction, or struggling in any way, it’s hard to know how much a person can do … I chose to hurt myself and sabotage myself, and I also chose to be on stage and perform.”
According to reports, Young, 25, previously entered treatment for drug problems in late 2024 and again in 2025 after a relapse. Her breakdown at the festival happened shortly after these struggles became public, prompting her to step away from the limelight.
In September, Young told her followers she was “going away for a while” without giving any explanations. She has now revealed that she spent two months in a treatment program where she went “on lockdown” without her phone while attending therapy and recovery work.
Today, the Grammy-winning singer attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and works with a sponsor.
Looking back, Young says the difficult period ultimately pushed her to make the necessary changes and says she is “grateful” for the experience.
Since completing treatment, Young has returned to the stage and even delivered a major comeback performance at the Grammy Awards earlier this year, winning Best Pop Solo Performance for Messy.
