I was heavily addicted to first alcohol and then drugs from ages 14-17. In those three years I went from stealing liquor from my parents to ultimately shooting up IV oxycontin, doing cocaine and any other drug I could find. In those days (mid-late 90s) the internet drug market was just starting, so I would steal money and buy things like ketamine and lots of "research chemicals" (untested hallucinogens) online. I ended up in the ER with severe self-inflicted woulds all over my face and body (I believe I literally pulled my skin off with my bare hands while blacked out on oxycontin--I have no memory of it).
I'm now in my 30s, have a family and haven't touched a drug like that since. I tried smoking marijuana a few times in my 20s but no longer enjoyed it--all it did was make me extremely paranoid and withdrawn, and I felt hung over the next day.
These days I drink moderately. I have a glass of wine with dinner but never get drunk (nor have any desire to). I never go out to bars, never drink hard liquor, etc. A couple beers or glasses of wine is as far as it goes.
I believe my drug addiction was primarily caused by a miserable, unstable and abusive home life growing up. I had no way of coping other than escape and self-destruction. Once I was independent and out the house there was no longer a need for any of it. I'm profoundly grateful I lived through that period and I have a lot of empathy for children and teenagers who go down the road of addiction. I believe firmly that it is a failure in parenting, although not necessarily intentional on the part of the parents. Children need stability, love and structure.
I'm now in my 30s, have a family and haven't touched a drug like that since. I tried smoking marijuana a few times in my 20s but no longer enjoyed it--all it did was make me extremely paranoid and withdrawn, and I felt hung over the next day.
These days I drink moderately. I have a glass of wine with dinner but never get drunk (nor have any desire to). I never go out to bars, never drink hard liquor, etc. A couple beers or glasses of wine is as far as it goes.
I believe my drug addiction was primarily caused by a miserable, unstable and abusive home life growing up. I had no way of coping other than escape and self-destruction. Once I was independent and out the house there was no longer a need for any of it. I'm profoundly grateful I lived through that period and I have a lot of empathy for children and teenagers who go down the road of addiction. I believe firmly that it is a failure in parenting, although not necessarily intentional on the part of the parents. Children need stability, love and structure.