"I wasn't sleeping" The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On Season 3's Nick Tramontin talks substance issues

In a candid conversation on The Viall Files podcast alongside his ex-partner Sandy Gallagher, The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On Season 3 star Nick Tramontin opened up about his struggles during filming.

"I wasn't sleeping, you know, I was having a very difficult time being in my apartment and it just, kind of, tallied up and tallied up and tallied up and I was far more emotionally volatile or reactive than I would ever want to show up for somebody that I care for. I don't think I showed up with my true authentic self," the 38-year-old artist revealed.

The conversation shed new light on his experience in The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On, where couples must decide to either get engaged or break up after a three-week "trial marriage" with another cast member.

Nick and Sandy, who had been dating on and off for nine months before joining The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On, found their relationship tested in ways they hadn't had the foresight to anticipate, with Nick's personal struggles playing a significant role in their journey.

The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On’s Nick’s journey through substance abuse discussed

Nick's time on The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On was marked by behavior he now views with regret. "I definitely did not love how I handled myself," he admitted, adding that he should have done "way more of this [drinking water], less of the other stuff I was drinking. It's pretty clear, I think." The artist acknowledged that his struggles with substance abuse predated the show, describing "ebbs and flows" in his battle with addiction.

The unique pressure of the show's format, which saw Nick paired with Mariah Zernik while Sandy explored a connection with J.R. Warren, seemed to exacerbate his existing issues. When Mariah left the experiment early to reunite with now-fiancé Caleb Lefterys, Nick found himself alone during the trial marriage period – a situation that intensified his struggles.

"I was not in a good mental place, I think that's pretty clear,"

Nick reflected, pointing to his drinking and sleep deprivation as major factors. He explained that he wasn't "getting the kind of mental health support and system" needed to avoid using alcohol as an escape mechanism, noting how The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On's social environment made it particularly challenging:

"It's something that is so socially accepted and especially on shows like these where everybody's having a drink and people are moving it around. It's really hard to take a step back from yourself... and look at that pattern."

Finding support and the beginning of a new era for Nick

Once The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On wrapped, Nick took active steps toward recovery, sharing that he "did go to check in and see what I could do for myself to change that behavior." He expressed gratitude specifically for Sandy's unwavering support throughout his struggles, even after their relationship ended:

"No matter what my frustrations were with her, the show and the breakup, she was always consistently supportive of me and getting to a better place."

Sandy, 28, acknowledged the challenges of supporting Nick through his substance abuse issues but mainly remained committed to helping when possible. "I really gave it my all with trying to be there for you and show up for you," she said during the podcast.

"I would drop everything and go make sure he was OK if he was struggling with certain things."

Today, Nick and Sandy maintain an amicable relationship despite their very public breakup. Nick has begun dating once again, a huzzah for him, telling podcast host Nick Viall that his new relationship dynamics are "far more on the same page" than his connection with Sandy ever was.

His openness about his struggles and journey toward recovery offers a sobering reminder that reality TV's dramatic moments often mask deeper, more personal battles.

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The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On Season 3 is available to stream only on Netflix.

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