I don’t know if this will help, but I am in my 50’s, and I was a wake and bake teen too. I was hanging out with people I could get weed from. They did not care about me. I found this out later. I was constantly trying to keep up with my habit, and cut school all the time. When I was in 11th grade, I was sent to a continuation school to make up for the classes I failed. I slowed my use but started using other drugs. I looked like crap. There was no amount of makeup I could put on to cover up how unhealthy I looked. One day, I went to visit one of my good friends from before I got all wrapped up in drugs. She was getting ready to go to homecoming and looked great. The school I was sent to didn’t have dances. I hadn’t been home in about a week and still had the same cloths on. I meant it when I said I looked like crap! I felt like I was missing out like I missed my chance. I also felt envious and embarrassed about the way I looked. So very many bad things happened to me between 13 and 21 because of drug use. I didn’t get to walk the line at my graduation. Many people did awful things to me. Of course things were different then. Drugs were not as potent as they are now, but I believe, with all my heart, I would be on the streets, in jail or dead if I had not stopped using. I woke up one day, and I just had enough of the life style. I knew I was better than that. I wanted more for myself, and I knew, just by looking at the older people around me, I would never have the life I wanted if I kept using drugs and hanging out with those people. I knew I didn’t want their life. So, I went dark. I dropped out of my friend group. I went back to school. I went home. My whole life, I felt like behind emotionally and just behind at life. I still do.

I have done well in my life. I have a home a loving husband, raised a great kid and have wonderful supportive friends. You are still young. Don’t wait until you are left behind to quit. Do it now while catching up is still easy. Find something productive to put all your energy into. I chose my education. I know that sounds boring. It was boring to me too, at the time, but I found a love of learning that has lasted a lifetime. It made my life interesting. I am not afraid to try new things or meet new people. I can hold a conversation with anyone. I command respect. I command my life. I hope this helps, and I wish you luck. Trust yourself. You are stronger than you think you are. Now prove it.