I have a great fear that one day, I will lose some of my good friends similarly the way you did. I just feel that they won’t stop drinking – and doing drugs – until the damage is irreparable.

I also wrote about drinking and smoking, and how I ‘miss them’ even though my body can’t deal with them anymore. It’s a weird thing when you grow up drinking and smoking since you’re 14 and can’t even imagine how to socialize without them. It becomes a part of you, and you kinda lose a big chunk of yourself when you give it up.

I’m sorry for your loss, Sarah.

Great essay: important, honest, shocking.