Vic Mensa shared on social media that a hostile encounter with the Italian mafia was a turning point for him, motivating him to stop drinking. The incident occurred when he was already intoxicated and led to a violent altercation at a friend's DJ event. Despite being outnumbered and facing physical harm, Mensa managed to escape but had to pay a significant amount for his safety during a performance the next day. This experience was a significant factor in his decision to give up drinking altogether. Mensa, who has been vocal about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse, has recently reached almost four years of sobriety. He credits mindfulness practices like meditation for helping him cope with his issues. Additionally, he released his version of Doechii's "Anxiety" freestyle.