Holy shit. This question made me teary.
Five years ago I was a 17 year old amphetamine junkie. I slammed two liters of Amsterdam Gin per day, 4-500mg of Ritalin, mostly smoked. I came from a broken and abusive home. Five years ago I dropped out of college after one semester because nursing my addictions couldn't keep up with school.
Five years ago, my girlfriend showed me her wrists. She had carved "CUNT" into her left arm and "BITCH" on her right one. I asked her what happened. She told me I happened. I asked her what she meant. She asked me what I meant, if I remembered the last three months. I realized I didn't. I lost three months of my life.
Five years ago, three of my friends died accidental deaths in two weeks. Two more would follow in the coming year.
Five years ago, I had nowhere to turn. I was told I was heading for a heart attack, but that couldn't get in the way of my nasty, nasty amphetamine and now cocaine habit.
Five years ago, I was going to die by 21. Five years ago, I didn't in my wildest dreams see myself where I am today.
Today I am 22. I am coming up on five months sober. I am a sophomore at my first choice school. Today I am an honors student. I am in a healthy relationship 7 months running with a partner I love dearly. I am active. I've made headway in my career, freelancing for Netflix and even directing a video for New York Fashion Week.
I never thought I'd see today, yet here I am, and here is so, so beautiful.