I was put on Ritalin when I was 10. This was in the late '70's/early '80's. Little was known about the drug, and even less about addiction back then.

I became addicted to it; I started needing increasing doses and would sneak around and take it when I wasn't supposed to; I lost 40 pounds (I wasn't a big kid to begin with; when my doctor finally realized what had happened to me, I weighed 70 pounds and was 11; I still remember her crying as she apologized to me); I had no friends and was completely withdrawn.

I was taken off it cold turkey. But that addictive behavior was just lying dormant, waiting for the right drug.

Starting in 1991 I had an addiction to crack which lasted until 2006. I lost everything, including my freedom, because of it. It's only been in the last 12 years where I have healed to the point my mind is clear and I can see what happened to me -- not that it helps. Now I'm almost 50 and have no career and a ruined legal history.

Some may say I'm blaming that long-ago doctor for my addiction; well, in a way that's 50/50. I didn't ask to be put on Ritalin, I was made to take it or I couldn't go back to school. Regardless, my propensity for drug usage was introduced to me by means beyond my control, so I cannot and will not accept total blame. And that's just being realistic.

OK, I've left enough of my soul here for you all to walk over. Hopefully I may have helped someone like me though.