The pressure to uphold an MLM pyramid led to severe anxiety and substance use disorder. Success in MLM resulted from others' financial losses. Initially joining with good intentions, the realization of the harmful impact prompted a departure from the system. Many former members shared experiences of trauma and stress, echoing personal feelings of disillusionment. The MLM structure exacerbated feelings of shame and blame for failure among participants, while emphasizing the need for more honest conversations around these experiences.
The stress and constant pressure of keeping my pyramid intact, along with the endless travel, parties and events, escalated my anxiety and my drinking habit.
Despite being a 'success story' in MLM terms, I realized that my success meant making money at the expense of others, ignoring my own intuition and chipping away at my integrity.
Their reasons echoed mine. I went on to personally interview hundreds of former MLM members who described their experiences as traumatic, depressing, stressful and cult-like.
When those dreams didn't come true, they believed the system, and the people at the top holding it together... told them it was their fault for not working hard enough.
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