Drugs ruined my life ... school, relationships, self-image, every single facet of my existence. And I was very talented at drugs ... very knowledgeable, had all the best connections, and so on, and so forth. I had everything a drug addict could want ... steady hookups, good drug buddies, beautiful women who thought my self-destructive was totally hot ... whatever I wanted. It was a fun time while it lasted, though, truly the best of times and the worst of times. I'm only now picking up the pieces. One day at a time. I'm now in a position where I can help others with similar experiences, and I find that I'm very good at it. Every drug I did built character, and let me be who I am today, and, at some level, I am thankful, and wouldn't take any of it back. But on the other hand, I could have very easily wound up dead or in prison, and I know a lot of people who did. I also know quite a few successful drug users, so-called, or, as we call them, "righteous dope fiends." It's a gamble, I suppose, one that I wouldn't really say that I've lost. What a long strange trip it's been.