The "messing up my game" part is extremelly subjective.
It depends on:
- The mod
- Mod requirements
- If you met the requirements
- Other mods
- Other requirements
- The region
- If you added/installed it properly
- Reasons that have nothing to do with the mod
So, just read the mod instructions and follow them, and it should be fine.
Unless you use 32bits, then good luck...