DEAR YOUNGER SELF:DRUGS AND ALCOHOL WILL RUIN YOUR LIFE: By Zuhaib Lone

DEAR YOUNGER SELF:DRUGS AND ALCOHOL WILL RUIN YOUR LIFE

Writer: Zuhaib Lone

DEAR YOUNGER SELF:DRUGS AND ALCOHOL WILL RUIN YOUR LIFE

Dear Youngman,

In just a few short years, you’ll be faced with a decision that will forever change your life.

Your “friends” are going to encourage you to try drugs and alcohol with the promise that you

will feel better. They aren’t lying. At first, you will feel fantastic. You will think that life

cannot stop you; you’ll become invincible.

In the process, you’ll slowly become a new young man. One who can’t go through a day

without drugs and alcohol. A boy that has no interest in sports, activities or anything that

won’t include him getting high or drunk.

You’ll lose connection with your family that lives around you every day. Your brothers will

become strangers and your parents will become the enemy. They will attempt to sabotage

every ounce of “fun” you are trying to have.

As You Get Older...It Just Gets Harder!

You’ll decide not to pursue a college education and take whatever jobs you can get. You’ll

make lots of friends, you can be sure of that! But…they don’t really like you. No, they like

your money, your drugs and what you can do for them. In the times when you really need

them, they won’t be around for you.

You’ll engage in lots of relationships that aren’t based on love, but instead on what you can

give one another. When they have nothing to offer you, you’ll move on. Worse yet, when

they feel you have nothing more to give to them, they’ll desert you.

There will be pains, great pain, and you won’t know how to cope. Drugs and alcohol will be

needed every day just to deal with life’s smallest problems.

You’ll spend hours waiting for your dealer to call. You’ll put off other plans or events based

on when you can score your next high. You’ll drive around the block five times before you

finally see him, and then you’ll watch over your shoulder constantly waiting for the cops to

bust you.

Jail Time…Yes, That's Your Reality!

No matter how smart you think you are, you won’t be able to hide well enough. You will be

caught, arrested, and you will go to jail. Problem is, you don’t fit in there and you live every

day in fear of what is about to happen to you. There is no sleep, no peace, just fear!

You’ll leave there sure that you’ll never make those mistakes again. It’s on to a straight life

now, or so you tell yourself.

Further Down The Hole

You become a man you never knew you could be. You spend your time stealing from loved

ones. They trust you and think you love them, but you just use them. You lie to those

closest to you and engage in activities you never thought you’d do. All this just for drugs and

alcohol.

You’ll lose jobs and steal from employers. You’ll betray their trust time and time again. This

will just cause you to feel worse about yourself; to sink deeper into the guilt and shame that

leads to more drug and alcohol abuse.

As I Leave You Now!

Whatever you choose to do as you get older, remember this. As long as you are breathing,

there is hope. You are never too far gone. There are others out there to help you. You can

be forgiven and you can build the life you’ve always dreamed of. Don’t quit and never give

up believing that you have the power to achieve great things.

Dig deep and pull the strength out that you need. Live life to the fullest, remembering that

every day you receive is a gift. It should be treasured and enjoyed. Spend time caring for

yourself and others. Make the world a better place each and every day by your smile. You

are only one person, but you have the power to change many lives.