I’m an 18-year-old student living at home, and I feel like I’m suffocating. My parents have always been "helicopter parents" (checking my phone/texts), but things spiraled when I started using weed and nicotine to cope with the stress of being home. They found the contraband, and now home life has become a nightmare.

The Current Situation:

• Zero Privacy: My mom has set up a second bed in my bedroom and sleeps there every night to monitor me.
• Hygiene as Punishment: When they get mad, they lock my bathroom. I’ve had to go days without brushing my teeth or accessing basic hygiene because of this.
• Financial Control: I work at my dad’s business, but I never see a paycheck. He manages all my accounts, and I have to ask permission for even the smallest purchases.
• Isolation: I’m not allowed to go out with friends. When I’m not at uni, I’m stuck in my room on my phone because it’s the only escape I have.

The University "Escape": University is my only relief. Even though I’m just doing coursework, being away from home is the only time I don’t feel a constant sense of sadness.

My Goals: I want to love them, but I can't live like this. My ultimate goals are to finish my education, get a car, and move out ASAP.

Questions for Reddit:

1. How can I start gaining financial independence when my dad controls my bank accounts and "withholds" my pay?
2. Is it legal for them to lock me out of the bathroom/hygiene facilities as a legal adult?
3. How do I navigate the "guilt" of wanting to leave while still wanting to care about them?