I was a really anxious and depressed kid. Drinking temporarily solved those problems. Then while piss drunk at parties or clubs or hanging out with people, I get hit with “hey wanna try this?” or “Do you smoke?”. Try it, like it, buy some, oops.

Thankfully I never got into the super life ruining stuff, but I definitely wasted the first half of my twenties being constantly drunk and high and I’ve got lots of nerve damage from doing stupid stuff.

Now I’m mostly sober. I still drink, but I have rules I haven’t broken in 5 years and I think I’ve gotten it under control.