I fooled around with a number of things when I was young and resilient. I ended up 23 years old, living at home, with no prospects of going anywhere. I was creative at coming up with excuses, scams, empty promises and 911 prayers(OK God, if you get me out of this one...). The only people that ever genuinely wanted to see me were as pathetic as I was. I made several failed attempts at learning different instruments for all the wrong reasons. So I could drink for free.So people would think I was someone worthwile so that maybe they could convince me of the same. I've been in recovery for 6 years. I've managed to learn to play something finally(even if it's only a drum), I'm learning to play mandolin. I'm more creative now than I ever was under the influence of the wonderful things modern science and mother nature have provided us. They may have worked for some people but they didn't for me. Even the people who did succeed while in addiction, have paid a terrible price. Jerry didn't look all that happy at my last shows. Also, we often reach out and express ourselves to fill a void. If we find a quick fix to temporarily alleviate that pain inside, how likely are we to ever reach our creative potential? What of the brilliant people out there who have made their contributions without help? We don't think about the fact that they did it without drugs. It is only in the case of an artist who does drink or use that we bring it up and then nobody bothers to think that Jimi might have had another ten years to create a lot more music otherwise! I'm sure I'd be dead by now and I'm just starting. Sorry if I've offended anyone. God bless you.

All the best, Rich