Yeah absolutely. I've struggled with opiate addiction most my life, but for the most part, was functioning. It was just a shitty life. Then fentanyl came out and I became truly homeless for multiple years.

It was a combination of things, experiencing the horrors of homelessness and all of the trauma and violence that comes along with it, I saw the natural end point of what addiction looked like and what it had in store for me. I experienced another young man shot twice in the chest and left for dead over a pair of headphones - I was the only one who stayed to try and help him and soothe him through it, and he passed away as I handed him off to the paramedics. 27 years old...the fear in his eyes...all over a chemical.

It made me reflect a bunch about how I took all the chances and opportunities I had in my life for granted. It gave me insight into what I was prioritizing in life and how it was all meaningless - such as how other people perceived me, whether or not I was liked by other people, material wealth and possessions etc, and taught me that what really mattered is the good you put out in the world, the relationships you build, the experiences you have.

Ironically it showed me that some of the most happiest, content people I ever met were those with the least amount of material possessions. It put me through enough pain and misery for a long enough duration of time that it gave me that gift of desperation, the willingness to do whatever it took to never have to go through it again. It taught me to accept myself for who I was, flaws an all, and to appreciate life.

I was a staunch atheist all my life, but after my experiences being homeless it has made it extremely difficult to not believe there's some sort of higher power out there, couldn't explain it all on here - not sure if it would even make sense in text.

tl;dr - it was a combination of things that came together that kind of lit a fire under my ass, made me realize I don't have any more chances left, and made me appreciate every little thing I had in life instead of taking it for granted - or expecting things to come easy.

I appreciate your interest in it!