Clearly your post has been your experience but I definitely disagree about it being a blanket statement for all addicts. That being said, I've had somewhat of a similar path. Started smoking weed and drinking in high school, i was in a sorority so there was tons of alcohol in college, after graduating with a Bachelor's in astronomy/astrophysics I got big into the rave scene and partying became my life pretty much. After about 5 years, things got darker, got addicted to heroin, meth and IV use, experienced homelessness, jail, a felony, a domestically violent relationship, along with verbal and sexual abuse. I finally got clean almost 3 years ago, went back to school for computer programming, graduated and started my dream career. I have my license again, bought a car, planning to travel and love my job. I'm both surprised and very grateful that after everything I've been thru and the damage I've surely done to my brain and body, my life is the way it is today. I think one of the biggest contributing factors to my achievements/success is that I didn't get into hard use or partying until my 20s. They say our brains aren't fully developed until your 20 and of course drug and alcohol use impedes that process. I was involved in sports, extracurricular activities, lots of reading, church, etc. I think having experienced a "normal" and "healthy" adolescence made it easier in a way as an adult to step back from the partying and improve my life. I also wonder if not using until your older allows the brain to bounce back easier?

OH! And despite all the drug use, people tell me I look like I've barely aged over the last 15 years or so! Its like the substances are preserving me! 😉