It is an incredibly hard path having an 'addictive personality.' There are drugs I know I can't try because I'm afraid of the slippery slope. I've been lucky to avoid them despite some of the people I've run with.

Alcohol is one of the more dangerous ones in my opinion, being socially accepted and readily available. I've seen young guys throw away everything for such a nothing sense of relief.

In my own house I live with a father in law who has seen so many of his kin die yellow, depression or celebration a drink. I've managed to convince him that in my house, Friday and Saturdays are the only evenings to partake, as I work during the week and it's not fair he should get to drink if I can't.

My own family has always been partial to social drinking, but we tend to drink weak beer, and reserve it for days off and occasion.

For my own part, I built a life far from needing weed daily or drinking to complete intoxication weekly, quit smoking for the second time this year, after a relapse.

I think the hardest part is coming to terms with yourself, being honest and understanding what is driving your decisions, which you have illustrated beautifully in this piece.