Beginning in high school, I spent 6 years in the throes of addiction. Most of the people I kept company with in my addiction are no longer here. To put it lightly, in one way or another most of them succumbed to their addiction. I'm one of the last of my kind within that particular group of people. For years I didn't count nor even really acknowledge my time in recovery until after about 20 years had passed. If you, or someone you know is struggling with addiction, remember...
never give up, there is hope.
Update: February 2024 I obtained 24 years clean from illicit drugs. We can recover.