American rapper Gucci Mane has opened up about his struggles with bipolar disorder, paranoid schizophrenia, and addiction during a recent interview on ABC’s Nightline.
The Atlanta-born musician reflected on how years of instability affected both his personal life and career, while also speaking about his journey towards recovery.
The rapper said much of his 20s and early 30s were marked by severe substance abuse and worsening mental health challenges. According to Gucci Mane, what he initially believed to be isolated issues eventually developed into deeper psychological struggles that significantly impacted his behaviour and decision-making.
He also discussed his memoir, Episodes: The Diary of a Recovering Mad Man, released on October 14, 2025, describing the book as a personal attempt to document his experiences in a more honest and structured way. The memoir reportedly highlights the support of his wife, Keyshia Ka’oir, whom he credits as an important figure throughout his recovery journey.
During the interview, Gucci Mane described experiencing what he called “episodes” — periods where he would lose control, experience memory lapses, hear voices, and behave irrationally. He explained that these moments often escalated gradually, comparing the experience to “a snowball” building over time, before eventually spiralling into complete instability.
