SJ, the first illegal 'gateway' drug I tried was probably alcohol under-age, followed by cannabis at aged 16. It was the cannabis that eventually got me hooked on nicotine, because I found eating the stuff was too random in its effects. The next illegal substance was acid in my twenties, followed about a decade later by cocaine, crack and heroin.
As for family, friends and employers, I've still got 'em - and all of them apparently happy with me. Apart from employer, that is. I jacked in a £60k salary to start my own business and have now retrained as a blacksmith - and never been happier.
Of course there have been drawbacks to my substance abuse. I could have spent the money I spent on cocaine on alleviating third world poverty or subsidising the performing arts, or (like many of my contemporaries) on booze and fast cars.
Sorry to rain on your parade, but that's my own - admittedly subjective - experience.