Doja Cat has opened up about a difficult period in her life, revealing that she struggled with cocaine use and alcohol during the early years of her career.
Also see: Dumisani Dlamini addresses absence from Doja Cat’s life amid public reaction
The Grammy-winning rapper, whose real name is Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, made the revelations in a series of TikTok videos shared on 31 August 2026. She said her experience with cocaine happened around eight years ago and stressed that she has since moved past it, reported E! News.
Doja Cat reveals past cocaine struggle
In one of the videos, Doja Cat candidly addressed her history with substance use.
She said she had struggled with cocaine approximately eight years ago but added that she is no longer dealing with that issue.
The singer was careful to distinguish her past cocaine use from her experience with alcohol, saying that alcohol had been a more significant problem for her.
She explained that although she never considered herself an alcoholic, drinking contributed to negative thoughts and affected how she viewed criticism directed at her online.
Doja Cat also said she had not experienced what she considered a serious problem with drugs apart from marijuana, while acknowledging that alcohol had become problematic for her.
How social media affected her mental health
The Say So hitmaker also spoke about the relationship between social media, substance use and her mental health.
She explained that she had used the internet as a form of validation for negative thoughts she already had about herself, with drinking contributing to that cycle.
According to Doja Cat, untreated or undiagnosed mental health difficulties combined with social media can create an extremely difficult environment for people.
Her comments come after she previously spoke publicly about being diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and undergoing therapy.
@dojacatsorry about all the pauses throughout the vid my cat was being an innocent menace to society♬ original sound – Doja Cat
Also see: Doja Cat’s alleged sister speaks out on Dumisani Dlamini, sparking SA debate
‘I think I hated myself’
In another candid video, Doja Cat addressed criticism from people who have accused her of not embracing her Black identity.
The artist reflected on her childhood and said she believes she began struggling with self-hate when she was around eight years old, after moving to a predominantly white neighbourhood.
She connected those experiences to some of the identity issues she has dealt with throughout her life.
The comments also come amid renewed discussions about controversies from earlier in her career, including accusations surrounding her interactions in online chatrooms and criticism of imagery associated with her music.
Doja Cat says she is focused on healing
Despite speaking openly about some of her darkest experiences, Doja Cat’s message was ultimately focused on growth.
She made it clear that her comments were about confronting experiences from her past rather than suggesting that she is currently struggling with cocaine.
The singer said she felt the need to share her experiences because the timing felt right and she wanted to get the thoughts off her chest.
Her decision to discuss substance use, self-image and mental health publicly adds to a growing number of conversations among celebrities about the pressures that come with fame and social media.
For Doja Cat, acknowledging difficult chapters in her life appears to be part of a broader process of understanding herself and continuing to work on her mental health.
Her revelations also serve as a reminder that the public image of a successful celebrity can be very different from what someone may be experiencing privately.
Also see: Zandile’s homecoming: what to expect at Doja Cat’s Move Afrika Pretoria concert
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp channel for content worth tapping into. Click here to join!
