“Gone were the days of insight. Now we experienced confusion, paranoia, and fear.”

– Life with Hope, first edition, page 2

When I first started smoking cannabis, I got high, and I could laugh and see the world in a different light. A pocket full of cash and a pocket full of dope were my highest ambitions. However, within a matter of time, I became paranoid and constantly anxious. I could only get a bit of relief by smoking some more dope. It would only make me feel normal for about 30 minutes, then the hell of it all came back again. I was just using to feel normal, if only briefly. A tortured spirit, I had nowhere to turn but rehab and then to the support of other recovering addicts, and a loving power greater than me.

Final thought: Today, I don’t have to be a tortured spirit. Today, I have hope, serenity, and fellowship of others in recovery. Today, I’m heading in the right direction.