Welcome (back) to the site. Unlike so many users I cannot justify my opioid use on chronic pain, it was simply the last of the whole spectrum of drugs I got into obsessively from the age of 15 onwards and was the ultimate product of my arrogance catching up with me. After getting sucked in heavy for 2 years at the age of 26 I managed to sort myself out when I finally ran out of money, but despite keeping my head above water for the next 5 - 6 year I never managed to get it out of my head together, having the odd chip with the longest actual break being no more than 3 months. Although I had plenty in place to keep it in check it was still only a matter of time before my life would offer a justifying stressor for relapse, so when I eventually did I reluctantly accepted treatment, something I was always keen to avoid as I didn't want to end up as the typical middle age sad act on the jollop.
Over 6 years later I am at the embarrassing end of an epic slice of unemployment (now nearly a 1/4 of my working life) parked up as a middle aged sad act on the jollop, but after a rough couple of months during which I had much of my support withdrawn I have now had certain lifelines re - instated and am so worn down now by my pissing about that I may actually do something about it.
Speaking of Beevor I love all his books (at least those I have read so far) - Stalingrad is particularly epic (it and 'Berlin' are my favourites)