Addiction is a word that can't be understood by a person who has never experienced addiction. I was a heavy user of meth in my teenage years (15 to 22). I started smoking it but decided to inject for a one off, bad decision. I got clean at 22, I thought, what I did was change one substance for another alcohol. I am an alcoholic, I havn't had a drink for 5 months. I see a psychologist who has saved me from ending my life, Ive attempted suicide twice. I had a brain scan which found I wasn't getting enough blood to my frontal lobe and side lobes as well as lacking chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and other chemicals. I was diagnosed with ADHD, I have uncontrollable anger like a savage animal due to my lack of blood to the front lobe and emotionally I am masculine and shut out the feminine side which causes problems with me. I 'am on seroquel xr 50 an 8 hour slow release sedative (it is mainly used for people that have bi polar and as a anti psychotic), I 'am on Xanax to control my anger, I'am on lamotrigine for my side lobes, I 'am on dex for ADHD and I'm on Lexapro an anti depressant as I've had severe depression all my life.
I fear nothing now, I'm facing something that destroys someone's soul. I had a choice at 15 to face my problems in life or to be like society and fit in. I'am 29 making the hard choices and accepting who I'am.
I thought I would share this as I can understand what your talking about.