My New Life

As people go through life they learn things that change their view on certain subjects. One of the main reasons why people shift their views is because they mature with age, usually by experiencing life changing events. The way people perceive the world as an adult is different compared to their perception in adolescence. I am no different. There was a point in my life when I did not see doing drugs as a mistake. In my opinion, drugs were just a way for me to have fun, or relax. I had people trying to talk sense in to me, but I was too stubborn to listen. I made stupid comments like "I know what I am doing", "I am only hurting myself'' or, "It should be legal ". The day would come when I would change my mind and realize the people I rebelled against were just trying to protect me from a life of misery.

It all started when I completely lost control. I no longer did drugs for pleasure, but because I felt I needed them. From this point, it was not long until I started partaking in illegal activities. There were many things I swore I would never do, but did anyway due to my drug addiction. People who had known me my whole life asked what was wrong with me. Some people asked who I was, because I did not act like myself anymore To tell the truth, I did not even know who I was, but what I did know is I despised who I had become. This was only the beginning of my journey down a destructive path.

People suffer many consequences as a result of a drug addiction. I personally had many to deal with. The first consequence I suffered from was loss. People in my life lost respect for me. Individuals I considered friends no longer wanted anything to do with me, but what really hurt was my mother telling me I was no longer welcomed in her home, the same home I grew up in. A second consequence I faced was homelessness. I can speak from personal experience when saying roaming the streets with no direction as to where to go is one of the worst emotions a person can feel. Any possession worth any value was traded off for drugs after I had spent all of my money to get high. If there was someone willing to help me I had already taken advantage of them. As a result of my actions, I had nowhere to go and no one to turn to. I was filthy, and at times I went days, or even weeks without bathing. As a result, I had blisters on my feet and rashes all over my body. A third consequence I had to endure was my health was my declining health. After many months of not having shelter, I was exposed to nature's elements which caused me to be very ill. I was emaciated and lost around 100 pounds. My fingers and lips were burnt from the use of a hot pipe. Finally, the worst repercussion of my actions was going to prison. I was caught committing a crime in an attempt to get drugs; as a result I spent two years behind bars. As sad as I am to admit it, my lesson still had not been learned. When